My Story
Making from my studio in Charnwood, Leicestershire I work to bring a unique view of everyday household items. I graduated in 2006 from DeMontfort University where I studied BA(hons) in Ceramics and Glass. After my degree, I spent 13 years working for Leicester City Museum service and then for 4 years I worked in education, supporting students in ceramics. After this, I made the decision to follow my dream of making my own ceramics full time.
My Method
I slip cast vintage and antique found objects - kitchenalia and familiar pantry items - in porcelain. They are then damaged and patched up with sprigs of poisonous plants and fungi. The main bodies are then polished to create an eggshell texture, to contrast the glazed plant sprigs. Some pieces have more damage than others and some have undergone repair with recycled copper telephone wire. These pieces then come together as A Pantry with a Threatening Aura.
My Little Women range of figures are created by assembling slip cast porcelain vessels and adorning with the poisonous plant sprigs.
My Fascination
As a maker, I am fascinated by poisonous plants and the women that have historically used them to harm or heal. This had led me to explore the link between women, poisoning and poisonous plants in my work. My art juxtaposes comforting and familiar items that have strong links historically with traditional female roles with poisonous plants.
Propaganda Pantry
This is where it all started, with my original collection, in 2005. While at University I developed my fascination with kitchen storage and especially Jelly moulds. I then deconstructed and damaged and reconstructed them, occasionally adding WWII propaganda images.
