Cabinet of Curiosities

I am an Australian artist, who formed a love and passion for metal work through the medieval art of blacksmithing. I developed my skill base with large sculptural objects in Shropshire, surrounded with nature and greenery like I had never witnessed before. Moving back to Australia I developed my skill set further studying Jewellery Design which allowed me to express more intricate detail and texture in my work. I have a love with nature that influences my metal work and continues to expand my curiosity and flourish through time.

My work is inspired through observations of natural curiosities. I am fascinated with intricate detail and form. In nature this beauty often goes unnoticed. My designs reflect upon the weird and wonderful obscurities found in nature and are influenced by the process of preserving natural specimens. Being an observer and collector of curious natural forms I create objects to fascinate, admire and intrigue. The forms of jewellery I utilize enable the objects I work with to be appreciated in a context that allows greater consideration.

​In the 18th century many new breeds of insects and plants were discovered and it was the main era of cabinets of curiosities. People collected these rarities to marvel over their oddity. These natural curiosities were collected for people to live in the presence of something extraordinary or marvellous. Jewellery has a similar function in that the intimate relation to the wearer means that the experience of the forms in each piece is brought into a sharper focus. The increased accessibility this provides will establish a more thoughtful consideration of the objects I have chosen to work with.

​The organic materials I use are transformed and reborn; given a new life as objects of astonishment.