1989 Statement

The structures that man builds around himself were the early influences on my work. The contrasts between the hard impersonal lines in man made forms like early aircraft scaffolding and machines, compared to the soft form of the human body.  Mono- prints and life studies have been important in helping me explore form and structure throughout my work.

The work has evolved around three approaches to structure. The first developed pieces that were both inspired by the human body and dependent upon it. The sprung bracelet requires an arm; the earcage too has a direct relationship with the body in the way that it is worn. This is active jewellery dependent upon its wearer.

The second approach has been with units not reliant on human form; the form is created by the manipulation of a series of similar units. Here movement is inferred within the layers that generate the form. In line with the character of this work these pieces lend themselves to batch production techniques, whereas the earlier pieces are more one-offs.

The next stage has injected a more natural softer quality to the pieces exploring material qualities to produce a seductive surface within the structure. With this work I feel nearer to achieving the fusion of the two earlier stages. In the larger bodypiece reference to the human body is still important, and throughout contrasts of softer form with strong geometric form exists within the work together with the structure being apparent as a system of generation.

I plan to continue with this work within a workshop environment and I am also looking for a period of work with an established jeweller.

Farnham Degree show May 1989