Ammonite Shadow Series

 

My ‘Ammonite Shadow’ series explores the interplay between the patterns within the woven structure of my fabrics, three-dimensional form and light. Inspired by the textural shapes of Ammonite fossils, the pleated forms spiral and curve, creating contemporary ‘textile fossils’.

 

As the sunlight moves across each piece it creates a series of changing shadows at different times throughout the day, emphasising the form. Directional artificial light creates dramatic crisp sharp shadows, adding another dimension to the work. The monochrome colour palette draws reference from the black and white illustrations of 19th Century geology artists, such as Ernst Haeckel, who captured Ammonites’ sculptural qualities in such exquisite detail.

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Fluidity and Rigidity Sculptures

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My ‘Fluidity and Rigidity’ series explores the contrasts between textile’s fluidity and metal’s rigidity. During my Doctorate at the Royal College of Art, I undertook an apprenticeship at a metal workshop to learn the technique of electroforming. I combined this new knowledge with many years' experience as a weaver to create a hybrid material called Metal Integral Skeleton Textiles (MIST).

 

Pliable conductive threads are woven within my bespoke cloth and during the electroforming process metal only forms onto these specific threads within the weave. The hard metal provides structure, whereas the fluid textile allows areas to fold, creating possibilities for sculptural forms.