Fluid Screen
Parian porcelain, oxides, wood, steel
2021
The turbulent motion of fluids, one of the most complex and unresolved areas of natural science, inspired the making of Fluid Screen. Seventy-two lustrous, translucent Parian porcelain tiles are suspended in a frame to create a freestanding sculptural and functional room divider, allowing diffuse light to pass through and glimpses of the environment beyond. Tiny quantities of metal oxides are mixed with the liquid porcelain to create subtle shifts and washes of colour. The hinged screen frame is constructed from local ash or Douglas fir.
Fluid Screen is available via Slancha
Work currently in progress Glitter Path: Dark Water
Glazed stoneware on plywood
2023
The reflection of the Sun or Moon on water, an optical phenomenon known as the glitter path, is the starting point for this work, currently in progress. Glitter paths help with reading water conditions, their appearance on water varying depending on the height of the Sun above the horizon, the height of the surface waves, and the position of the observer.
Phase Transition
Porcelain, oxides
2021
A large floor standing porcelain ring made up of 16 individual pieces, when installed nearly 2m diameter. The title refers to the physical processes of transition between the states of matter, such as solid, liquid and gas. In particular it relates to a liquidity that bursts up from confinement under the earth, the polar pulls between liquid and solid. The making process involves liquid porcelain poured over specially made plaster moulds, to create an unrepeated and unrepeatable movement. Each batch of porcelain slip has its own specific gravity and energy; while the material is being pushed the limit of its capabilities, it has the last word. Tiny quantities of oxides are mixed into the porcelain to create subtle shifts in colour across the sections. To enable the fabrication of curved, self-supporting structures, specially made cast refractory concrete structures support the porcelain in the kiln during firing.
connector node field
Refractory concrete, earthenware glaze, media
2023
‘When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe’ John Muir.
A network of nodes blooms on the surface of the forest floor. Look beyond the nodes and focus on the connections between them. Then look beyond the connections and see the patterns they make. The understanding comes in the spaces in between, in the relational forces that connect and move the points. Move a node and become an agent of change. Take a node and become a custodian.
Read about connector node field in full here.
Magic on this Planet
Parian porcelain, oxides, wood, carbon fibre, stainless steel
2022
The piece comprises five delicate porcelain tiles hanging within a box of scorched pine. The tiles are created by pouring porcelain slip over prepared moulds to create and capture unrepeatable flowing gestures. They are finished by firing once in a kiln to 1260°C. The work is intended to set up oppositions of flow and stasis, lightness and weight, control and spontaneity. Its title is from a quotation by anthropologist and natural science writer Loren Eiseley: “If there is magic on this planet, it is contained in water”.
Glazed rings
Refractory concrete, porcelain, oxides, glazes, metal fibre needles
2021-2023
This is a material and sensual proposition, combining materials used in supporting roles in industrial processes with others more common in decorative applications.
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