Armoured Eggshells
All works are made to order. Prices start from £175
Where it began.
My armoured eggshells started with a chicken egg. Optic, pictured here, was the first of many works I created exploring the duality of strength and fragility through the archetype of the ovoid egg. I developed a body of work exploring this theme during my time at the RA Schools and showcased it at my MA show in 2004. I kept adding to the collection.
Where it's at now
Twenty years later and they still fascinate me. I am in the process of drawing (see 'Fester' image ) through ideas for making some new eggshell works that take them to a different, more sinister place using eclectic materials with the eggshells to tell a darker story.
An eggshell is a fragile thing with such a universal purpose and association. Seemingly so fragile and yet so strong and perfect in its form and function.
I want to explore how much they can stand to become stronger. Through near destruction and taking the eggshell to its limits, it becomes armoured, protected, and transformed into something 'other', something greater than its discarded self.
The eggshell works raise questions, perhaps thoughts about what has been hatched from such things, and what that might be.
Fragility and strength, simplicity and complexity, natural and contrived, form and function, cause and effect....every eggshell work tells a story. The would-be discarded shells are redeemed and transformed into an object of speculation, of further possibilities.
SELFRIDGES
In 2015 I was selected by Selfridges to install a show in one of the huge 3.5 metre widows in Oxford Street, London. This show was part of the dubiously titled 'Bright Old Things' organised by Selfridges to bring older creatives together and put on a show.
t was an opportunity to make a whole new body of work for the installation.
The work, 'Something Wicked This Way Comes,' was displayed for over two months in prominent locations, including the window, Atrium and Wonder Room at Selfridges. It drew the attention of over 1 million people daily.
The public's response and the worldwide publicity were great and included:
The Times, the Independent, The NY Times, I.D, Dazed, Creative Review, Conde Nast, and Time Out among others.
I aimed to create an installation that captured the essence of an otherworldly visitation. Inspired by the mysteries of the deep ocean and darkest space or perhaps the subconscious, the celestial shower was made to catch the eye of the passersby. Each pod holds endless possibilities.
Some of the eggshell works shown below are from that show and others more recently from 2019 onwards, I am still exploring ideas about them. All works are drilled eggshells, Ostrich, Rhea, Goose, and Quail with Iron, Brass, Copper Nails, or Bolts.
These works are surprisingly robust and travel well in their bespoke box. The whole body of work consisting of over 150 eggshells was made in India in a makeshift studio and brought back for installation in the UK....with no damages, that's how armoured they become in the making.
Below are some examples of these works. All are made to order and prices start from £175.
If you would like more details about a work or commissioning a work, please enquire here for further details
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