Beauty.....a necessity of life.....

“Beauty, which is what is meant by art, using the word in its widest sense, is, I contend, no mere accident to human life, which people can take or leave as they choose, but a positive necessity of life.”
―William Morris
The Beauty of Life (1880).

​A recent lecture I attended on the Modernist Jeweller Ann O'Donnell reminded me of the modernist themes of form and function,truth to materials and the strive to create objects of desire. Pictures above are a few of my favourite pieces from the exhibition of her work. All pieces are organic in design and in themselves present as sculptural pieces. The individuality of piece is formed around the main semi precious stones. In an era of male dominated makers Ann progressed and established herself and her unique work against the trend to make 'factory made' jewellery of the 70's and 80's.  She opened a retail and exhibition space in Leeds 'Anno Domini' transforming into a gallery space after she began curating international shows of contemporary jewellery.  Stunning work!

A5 publication London May 2017

It is the drive to create beauty within my work that drives me forward. ​​In a society of constant there is a need to stop and value. To take stock, look rather than skim the surface of each other, materiality and the environment. By seeking out materials within the landscape and engaging with an alchemic approach I endeavour to visualize the beauty of the ephemera in order to enhance and change an individuals view of the way they interact with environment.
​Truth to materials and the real are paramount. There needs to be grounding; a link to physicality. We continue to become a quick gratification society of 'how many likes' we can generate from individuals we have never or will never meet. People who, without physical regular interaction will not remain within our minds; they are forgotten with ease.​