DECISION TIME:
At the end of the Estela Saez workshop I had two very strong desires: one was to continue to make a family of rings. The other idea was to revisit my plastic take-away brooches.
Leftover, found and gifted metal, had been the material I landed on at the end of Estela’s workshop. I wanted to push the idea of a modified bishops ring, where I sketch and cut one flat shape that is bent to form a ring
Experimenting with different surface treatments, oxidizing and powder coating captured my attention. I loved the chalky white top and colourful bottom theme, there was so much joy in this making for me.
But I was conflicted, because part of me wanted to re-visit my ‘take away brooches’ , to see what affect this new method of working would have on that older body of work. I wanted to bring that lightness , lyrical spirit from Estela’s works and the process of make.draw.edit.stay uncomfortable and lay that over take away work. Plastic as a material is so politically charged , in the oil town where I now live and sometimes people need different ways to start a conversation.
WHAT TO DO?
Throughout the mentoring sessions, Iris Bodemer kindly listened and suggested that I make a big family of metal rings and brooches. I was thrilled with the advice. This slight shift that I was somehow unable to see, was perfect! Building in time for taking space and distance from intense making, in order to gain perspective – is something I know I SHOULD do…. but in the lead up to shows, I struggle to do!
Writer/curator, Sarah McClintock had been observing all of the sessions and we chatted about the need to be able to succinctly describe one’s project. She gifted me the phrase Haphazard Joy! So off I went, happily advised by wise mentors
THE PLAN:
Continue to develop with a large series of rings. Bring that lightness , lyrical spirit and process of draw.edit.stay uncomfortable to brooches. Use fast sketch, cutting and folding using the idea of a bishops ring, one piece of metal wrapped and formed into a ring. Keeping the scent
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