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The Ethos
I have always been interested in environmental issues, including the
concepts of recycling, waste reduction and sustainability. Primarily
my work uses as much recycled material as is possible, I encourage the
local community to collect bags for me, so promoting the concept of
recycling.
The design of my product is imperative, thus, they must be striking,
interesting and functional objects, that they are made from recycled
materials is a bonus! My work is created to last, so I hope that people
will buy it to keep and treasure, so not feeding the mass consumerist
market, however, if you do wish to get rid of it, it is completely recyclable
itself and can be reformed in to a new product. (There are websites
such as www.freecycle.com where you can simply recycle your unwanted
goods)
Unfortunately few recycling points have bag recycling, however most
Tesco’s seem to have bins inside their supermarkets. You can always
send them to me, bright interesting colours are always gratefully received.
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Technique
I began experimenting with plastic in response to teaching a course
on glass painting; I decided that plastic was the future, or at least
for me it was! I’ve been developing this technique of heat fusing
plastic over the last 5 years, experimenting with different plastics,
tools and methods to create new forms. The bags and other materials
are collaged together, using heat to bond them. Each piece is built
up in layers, gradually creating an intricate design. They are then
formed in to different shapes, using specialist tooling.
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Inspiration
My main inspiration comes from the material itself and how it can be
manipulated in to new and interesting forms. My visual influences are
eclectic, but focus around how manmade and natural forms interact and
how things respond to weathering and erosion. The sea, rock formations
and plant forms are often transposed as form, rythmns and patterns in
my designs. |
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My history
I studied fine art at Edinburgh College of Art, where I experimented
with a variety of found materials; paper, scrap metal, found objects
and also natural materials such as mud and blood. I graduated in 1993.
On return to Nottingham I developed a business making work out of paper
pulp. I took time off art to train as a lecturer. Through the early
years of my bags2riches experience I continued to teach part time, enabling
me to fund the business. Bags2riches is now my sole income, though I
still do occasional workshops and hope to do more residencies to allow
me to pursue more of my art based ideas. |
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