PROJECTS
EARLY WORK
Throughout my working practice travel and its influences can be seen in the making of furniture and more recently jewellery. The combination of architecture, coloured textiles and geometric patterns from various cultures can be seen in the work.
In my furniture the use of beaten metals and components seen within the collages are apparent; the jewellery similarly serves to show aspects of adornment and protection. In this more recent work I have used traditional skills of riveting, etching and the producing of textural surfaces which have resulted in a new phase of work.
NEW WORK – Power of the Object
This involves developing ideas around adornment and the beliefs of the power and protection of Amulets and Lucky Charms seen in many cultures up to the present day.
Such objects as the mobile phone posess an element of protection and importance that parallels the earlier cultures.
ORIENTAL MUSEUM DURHAM UNIVERSITY – Enchanted Objects
Across the world and throughout time, people of all ages have adorned themselves and carried objects that they believed had the power to protect them from harm or bring good fortune to their lives.
Today, we still have a strong belief in the power of lucky charms. We may carry an object on our person before an exam, an interview, or a sporting event, or to remind us of a special event or a particular moment in time. Even the mobile phone possesses an element of protection and importance that parallels earlier cultures and beliefs. Mobile phones have become a source of security and connection as we depend on them in the same way as a talisman, amulet or charm.
I have drawn inspiration from our past and present connections with amulets to create a series of intricate and striking talismanic shirts and protective jewellery. Woven through the Silk Roads gallery, these works are displayed alongside historic objects from the collection. The installation features some of my sketchbooks and preliminary drawings, providing insight into my artistic practice, as well as a talismanic shirt produced in collaboration with Creative Age, a weekly art group that supports people living with dementia and their caregivers.
Objects such as mobile phones possess an element of protection and importance that parallels that of earlier cultures.
You can view the exhibition details here
