Art

Cornish Prime Series

The Gold and Platinum used is made from 80% recycled product, melted and refined in my workshop in Napier. The remaining 20% is new metal bought from an approved supplier committed to sustainable mining. The Silver used has all been recycled or recovered from used x-ray and silver nitrate film plates. All the metal has been tested for purity and hallmarked individually. The diamonds are brilliant cut, gem quality and have been bought through Kimberly Process Suppliers and are guaranteed to be conflict-free. This work is intended to showcase the importance of sustainable mining, recycling and the Kimberley Process which is an industry initiative to stamp out conflict or “blood diamonds”. Working and living in Cornwall and New Zealand has brought home to me the effect previous mining has had on the landscape and its people. A chance meeting with Georgina Pearman, a researcher in sustainable mining at the Eden Project U.K. inspired me to start this series. She made me aware of the work being done by institutes and industry to improve the current situation worldwide, and the important role the consumer has in ensuring goods come from sustainable sources.

Ethos

Jack and Jill Walls

Inspired by the "Jack and Jill" dry stone walls around Saint Ives in Cornwall. These walls form a man-made interface between earth and sky, blending these elements. My interest lies in how they react with light especially when wet or icy, and the dividing line created.

I have used the motifs these walls form in my work to show how man has impacted on this landscape since ancient times and how man's influence has now become part of the 'natural landscape' over time.

I have used precious metals and diamonds in this work because of the unique way they reflect light and pick up colour from their surroundings, and the effects and patterns that can be obtained through polishing, frosting and oxidising.

MEDIUM

Oil Paint, Platinum, 18ct Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver, All metals assayed by Birmingham Assay Office United Kingdom, Diamonds crystals uncut and gem quality, On Canvas

DIMENSIONS

83cm x 53cm approx

PRICE

USD $38,000 plus shipping and Insurance

Inspired by the Falmouth Oyster Boats plying their trade on Carrick Roads in the Fal River Estuary, Cornwall, U.K. These boats still harvest oysters when in season by sail, helping to preserve the resource by having never allowed motorised harvesting. Some of these boats date back hundreds of years, spanning the generations often handed down from Father to Son.

I have taken these gaff rigged forms and abstracted them; stretching and stylising them to resemble the wading birds that also share the estuary. These bird forms allow me to use the metal and diamonds to reflect light to its maximum effect and to contrast with the semi-translucent layers of oil paint and use the negative spaces between the metal work. I have used precious metals and diamonds in this work because of the unique way they reflect light and pick up colour from their surroundings and the effects and patterns that can be obtained through polishing, frosting and the mixture of brilliance and scintillation.

Oyster Catcher

MEDIUM

Oil Paint, Platinum, 18ct Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver, All metals assayed by Morris & Watson Bullion Auckland New Zealand, Diamonds Gem Quality 38.00 Carats, On Canvas

DIMENSIONS

1.650 meters x 1.100 meters approx

PRICE

Sold into Private Collection

Wind Jammer

Inspired by the Falmouth Oyster Boats plying their trade on Carrick Roads in the Fal River Estuary, Cornwall, U.K. These boats still harvest oysters when in season by sail, helping to preserve the resource by having never allowed motorised harvesting. Some of these boats date back hundreds of years spanning the generations often handed down from Father to Son.

I have taken these gaff rigged forms, stylised and abstracted them to allow the precious metal and diamonds to work the light to its maximum effect through polishing and frosting the gold and silver, contrasting them against each other. Cut gem quality diamonds are used to bring brilliance and scintillation to the work that only diamonds can provide.

This work is in Tandem with” Oyster Catcher” {completed 2009}.It uses the same gaff rigged forms but in a less stylised way. The extra diamond content and more closely fixed precious metal pieces in Wind Jammer complements the sculptural bird like forms of the “Oyster Catcher”.

MEDIUM

Oil Paint, Platinum, 18ct Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver, Diamonds Gem Quality 40.00 Carats, On Canvas

DIMENSIONS

1.oo meters x 0.790 meters approx

PRICE

Sold into Private Collection