Taking inspiration from the aesthetic qualities found in my visual research of the Arctic and Antarctic, I have created a collection of pieces that explore contrasts between different surfaces, textures and colours. My starting point was the concern I felt for the polar ice caps, which are melting rapidly due to the effects of global warming. I hope through my pieces to draw attention to this issue; in appreciating the qualities of my pieces, the viewer will be reminded that the environments their inspiration is drawn from are threatened, and that some of our best-loved animals like polar bears and penguins face extinction. It is everyone's responsibility to try and reduce their contributions to global warming.
Using a wide range of non-precious materials, including resin, silicone rubber and textiles, enables me to incorporate colour and variety into my work, which are very important to me. I also like my pieces to be tactile and fun to look at and touch; smooth curved shapes, bendy rubbery forms and an inviting array of different surfaces attract the viewer to handle the pieces. The jewellery's playful nature is emphasised by multifunctional and interchangeable components - it is my intention that the pieces do not resemble jewellery when away from the body and can be enjoyed in their own right as small sculptural objects. However, pieces can easily be transformed into wearable rings, pendants and brooches by slipping them onto the finger, threading or buttoning them onto the necklaces supplied, or buttoning them into any suitable buttonhole. |
