Molten Vessels (2025)

This work reflects the complexity and contradictions of defining resilience.

Vessels are like bodies; containers which carry our memories and emotions. Charcoal relates to our mortal forms, an organic material, close to ash. I have crafted this vessel from charcoal and over it, placed my signature chainmail. An external defence for avoiding pain.

Areas of the defence are visibly damaged, they have been burned. Yet the molten metal - once cooled provides strength and rigidity to the fabric-like material. Areas that are un-touched by the flame create soft skin-like folds.

This shield signifies the coping strategies we can adopt to protect our innermost selves, it is imperfect. I wanted this undulating armour to illustrate the complexity of self-awareness. We try to understand if our experiences have strengthened or weakened us, whether they have caused us to adapt in ways which effectively protect us, or maladapt - becoming a layer which really weighs us down.

This piece also represents a new direction for my practice, allowing in materials from my process to become part of the final work. Traditionally in silversmithing, charcoal is used as a flat base upon which to solder or recycle scraps. I wanted to subvert this process by retaining the connection between these two materials away from the studio bench. Here they cannot be separated, the silver chainmail relies on the charcoal to retain its form.