Artwork 1: Common Cold & Corona Virus
The sculptures are the culmination of a conversation in wool which started for myself a decade ago and somehow to my overwhelming sadness brought the whole world to a standstill in 2020. The dichotomy between function and form in viruses is commonly an immediate reflection on their existence measured to our own. Humans have the weakness to put ourselves in the centre of the universe rather than grasping the idea that more often than not we are the threat to every living organism – including our own kind. A virus veteran myself I study the impact of viruses on a personal and global level. The work has been a mechanism to explore humanity, how we operate in a crisis and how we process the impact of trauma within our relationships and our belief system. The lessons I have learned are of growth, hope and kindness. I strive to share this experience through my practice.
Materials and Techniques:
The Two pieces are constructed by a crust and a core. The crust is a combination of animal and plant-based fibres which communicates the spread of the virus and the impact it has on our bodies. The respiratory spread is embodied in undyed wool to emulate sensory experience. The fearmongering of geographical containment is communicated by silk and Italian fibres. The core is a combination of rubbish created during the pandemic which has been covered in wool to develop felt.
Artwork 2: Green is Gorgeous
A leaf A triptych of life. The set of three hangings looks into existence as an intertwined representation of organisms which live as parasites. It uses the metaphor and metamorphosis of plant diseases to reflect on our urge to label things as bad and good based on whether they are convenient to us or not-often ignoring or failing to account for the bigger picture & our not-so-omnipotent place in nature.
Some existences are unsuitable to our plans. What justifies us being the measure of what should and shouldn’t live? My work uses science as a basis of questioning perspective and commenting on our realities. It offers the stance that science and art are both genuine attempts to communicate positively with the world and each other.
Materials and Techniques:Wool, silk and flax Wet felted pods reinforced by wire.
Artwork 3: The Moon Is Watching Over
This work was perched on my flat roof as a homage to those who were affected by Covid19. The frontline workers who gave us hope, those who fell sick. I put it the night a friend was admitted to hospital to be treated for Covid19. My daughter lit up the Moon for 30 days. It gave hope to our neighbourhood and I personally sent messages dedicating the light each time to friends neighbours and family who work on the front line.
Materials and Techniques:
150 cm wet felted inflated ball. Materials: silk, wool, flax , alpaca gathered through years and continents in an attempt to represent the Moon as the gathering light of feminine soft strength and indomitable nature.
