Artwork Projects
Random Orbit
In 2019, I was commissioned by Bromsgrove Arts Consortium and Beatfreaks Collective to illustrate one of the provocations resulting from the 'Tell Me What You Want' Project. The project's aim was to discover why people in Bromsgrove (who would like to be) were not more involved in the creative and cultural life of the town. After a survey, workshops and having collated and presented the data, a celebration event was planned to coincide with Bromsgrove's annual Christmas 'Light Switch-on' Event in November. Along with three other artists I presented my piece 'Random Orbit' to the public. It was my first large scale interactive artwork.The brief was to interpret one of four provocations generated by the survey and given by people as reasons for a lack of participation.
I chose 'I'm not Creative' because I felt that some do not take the first steps because they feel daunted when faced with a blank sheet of paper. In making 'Random Orbit' I aimed to introduce lots of colourful patterns and shapes which could be moved around and repositioned. The individual could make their own design, or a group could discuss the positioning of the pieces until a pleasing result was achieved, in order to stimulate the creative juices. '
Random Orbit' is comprised of a large stainless steel board to which moveable magnetic discs decorated with applied enamelled designs and other plain discs can be selectively attached. The brief also required that the artwork should be accessible to all and provoke discussion. The Piece was exhibited in a vibrant new Bar in Bromsgrove at the Celebration Event (mentioned above).The arrangement of the pieces provoked much discussion and accessibility was achieved because we are (from the very young to the older generation) all familiar with the simple concept of fridge magnets.
'Close Affinity'
'Close Affinity' is one of 20 #CreativeConnections projects commissioned by #SevernArts and Worcestershire County Council to stimulate creativity in the county during the during the first lock-down of the pandemic.
I interpreted #CreativeConnections as the means by which we are all interlinked by our creativity.
To present this in a visual form, I chose some of the materials used in the crafts I practice, and a single shape, the circle. All the circular elements in 'Close Affinity' overlap and/or intersect with others creating new shapes, reflecting the way in which we are changed and influenced by our involvement with others. Each circle has a number of possible ways of connecting some visible, some hidden. This symbolises the different degrees and depths to which we are also interconnected.
‘Close Affinity’ combines enamelled copper elements, with hand-painted silk, textured aluminium and pewter. Its form is fluid, rising and falling crossing over itself as it traces a figure similar to an infinity symbol. A space has been left giving further emphasis to our #CreativeConnections, as there is always room for more creativity and new links.
Charter 400 Project
'Time Suspended' - Hanging Mobile Sculpture
The project celebrates the 400th Anniversary of the granting of a Royal Charter to Worcester.The
In spring 2021, I put forward a proposal and was pleased to be commissioned to make my design. The finished piece was displayed in the Guild Hall in Worcester in the Autumn/Winter 2021.
When I found out about Charter 400, I knew I wanted to make a hanging mobile sculpture. To me, it seemed the ideal way to represent the passage of time by creating snapshots of the events and developments that have made Worcester the city it is today.
The artwork is constructed in mixed media piece incorporating a variety of materials, many of which are recycled. Enamelling is, of course, a key element of the design. The structure of the piece provides a framework to link the historical developments in Worcester over the last 400 years. Simple shapes form the basis of the artwork, with interconnection both in design and construction. The piece hangs from a copper tube suspended by chains, the outer two of the three vertical sections hanging below have wooden component shapes forming a backing for the individual enamelled plaques. The enamel plaques are made from recycled copper.
All the while the river is a constant, flowing through the central vertical section as the piece charts the course of Worcester’s history. The ‘River Severn’ is cut to a sweeping shape (also in a recycled material). Wires in winding shapes have been applied to the surface to give a three-dimensional quality to the covering of colourful stretched recycled leather. The style of the artwork is simple, bold and characterised by strong motifs evoking the changes and key events experienced by the citizens, along with some of the city's architectural features. These motifs may require some deciphering by the viewer, regarding their context in terms of the city.
A shield shape is suspended from the base of the ‘River’ and features an enamelled plaque representing the Cathedral and has the dates 1621-2021 in Roman numerals.