Held - Freshwest Live Brief
During my Master’s year, I participated in a live brief project that was exhibited at the National Botanic Garden of Wales in December 2015. The project was a material exploration combining ceramics, textiles, resin, wool, and concrete, pushing the boundaries between soft and hard materials. Wool played a significant role in this study, leaving imprints within ceramics and serving as a structural and textural contrast to rigid materials like cement.
The creative process involved casting and layering different materials, experimenting with their interactions, and embracing unpredictability. The initial stages included mold-making, slip casting, and the integration of textiles to create unique surface patterns and forms. The final piece featured stacked ceramic, felt, and resin components in a balanced yet organic composition, topped with a delicate flower, highlighting the interplay between industrial and natural elements.
This project was an opportunity to step outside my comfort zone and explore unconventional material pairings, ultimately leading to a piece that would not have been considered otherwise. The exhibition setting at the National Botanic Garden of Wales added another layer of meaning, connecting the work’s natural and man-made elements to its environment, reinforcing the theme of material fusion and transformation
