'Kaleidoscope'

2015-2017

In a society that profits from self-doubt liking yourself is a rebellious act.
Let’s work on being our biggest fans, not worst enemies.

The idea behind Kaleidoscope came during a residency in Arizona, USA (2015) and this is where these translucent, porcelain flowers babies were born. I love to combining of clay with textile elements and fixing such a delicate, fleeting subject, into a solid, permanent state.

I was based within an eclectic artist community in the old ghost town of Jerome. The town was set on a mountain top and boasted stunning desert views; just 20 minute drive from the spiritual energy capital of Sedona I became submerged in a bohemian, new age culture.

Historically my work had been sculptural, I enjoy the technical challenge of slab-building with porcelain; it is this craftsmanship that is my comfort zone. I've felt that if there wasn't higher level of skill required then, in my eyes, my work wouldn't be as valid. I'm not sure I'm the 'arty' type, I struggle with valuing myself and think there is a like between this and allowing myself to strip back my ideas and explore 'less is more'. Lots of over-compensating and trying too hard.

With Kaleidoscope I wanted to become less ridged, strip back my ideas and allow environments to play a part. Embracing the boost of confidence the residency gave me and my desire to travel, an idea formed, to travel with my porcelain flower babies. Between 2015 and 2017 I introduced them to different environments, observing how they impact, adapt and react. The world is such a beautiful place; Mother Nature takes my breath away.

America

Desert Babies

May-July 2015. Fresh out of the kiln we had a play in the studio courtyard and then set about on a road trip to The Petrified Forest and Painted Desert National Park, Arizona.

France

Snow Babies

Working a Winter Season, November 2015 - April 2016. My heart swelled as my porcelain flower babies joined me in the French Alps for a play in the snow. With altitudes ranging from 1850m to 3365m and installed in different conditions; amongst the trees, cliff edges and powder drifts, we enjoyed a real adventure together… and very cold hands.

Italy

Mountain Babies

Working a Summer Season, July-September 2016 Kaleidoscope joined me in the breathtaking Italian Dolomites. We swam in ice cold rivers, hiked mountains, climbed via ferratas, paraglided and lay amongst meadows of flowers (with an army of sassy ants) throughout the South Tyrol region.

Greece.

Frightened Babies.

During the summer of 2017 I volunteered at Oinofyta refugee camp in Greece, teaching mainly English to children and adults. My flower babies joined me at camp, amoungst the Olive Trees in the dry dirt and at the beach on weekends. Breathing in the sea air and playing in the sand at peace. This time was important, we can’t forget to be kind to ourselves and to recharge. The days were long and overwhelming.

The children and adults I worked with showed incredible strength, each carrying devastating stories and faced with immensely traumatising circumstance. In the school laughter could be heard, we sang and played, we learnt, we created and we loved.

It is important to educate ourselves. These people are not uneducated, “stealing our jobs”, dirty or dangerous. We are all people. What they are is frightened, in need of help and fleeing for their lives from countries at war. Anyone of us could be put in this position. “No one leaves home unless home is the mouth of a shark”, ‘Home’ by Warsan Shire.