My bold and colourful wearable art traces its origins back to my time as a sculpture student at Loughborough College of Art and Design. Fascinated with the qualities of coloured light, reflection and refraction, I experimented with lasers and acrylics in a dark room environment. Later, following my post-graduate training at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, I worked as a professional set and costume designer, again responding to the strong shapes and lush palette of vivid colours available in the theatre.
While living and working in Italy, I was overwhelmed by the fabulous costumes, colours, and the sheer exuberance of Venice at Carnival time. This experience inspired me to revisit my earlier sculptural ideas, and develop them into wearable works of art. This inspiration continues in my work today, and, as well as being stunning pieces of jewellery, I think of all my pieces as ‘wearable sculpture’ with a shimmering, almost luminous quality. My approach to working with modern acrylic materials goes hand in hand with my love of high-impact jewellery, and I have developed processes which combine a strong sense of form with my deep love of colour.
Awards
| Highly Commended | The Craftsman Magazine Newcomer Award 2005 at the British Craft Trade Fair. |
| Short Listed | ‘Gift of the Year Award’ 2005 in the ‘Gift & Fashion Jewellery’ category by the Gift Association (GA). |