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After studying ceramics at college I fell in love with fibre and set up as a tapestry weaver in 1975. While working for three years in Oman, in the early 1980's, alongside the Bedouins, I was inspired by the incredible rock formations there, and started to work with paper pulp. For the last four years I have returned to working with clay.
The body of my work reflects upon the memory of actions and experiences of people over time. The earth retains the marks made by humans and their presence which they leave behind. Humans appear to make very slow social and political progress.
The mistakes and behaviours of the past are constantly repeated, little collective reflection seems to take place. The marks made long ago are still there watching over us, and reminding us of their presence.
These are the 'watchers', figures reflecting history. They are bodies returned to the earth, as in death. But their presence does not die, nor their witness.
The backbone represents a strength within the body, both physically and mentally. Many of the bodies have their backbones revealed, representing both the inner strength as well as the vulnerability of humans. The skeletal features also remind us that death is very much part of life.
The life size bodies are made from clay. The work also incorporates other materials such as earth, metal, coal, stone. These materials are often in conflict with each other as well as reacting in unexpected ways during firing. The bodies can be placed either inside or out.
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