Category: Subject Year 3

For this project I want to be addressing elements of EDGE: ETHICAL, DIGITAL GLOBAL and ENTREPRENEURIAL. My work has always had a focus on Ethical aspects and I often consider renewable materials to use as an alternative no non renewable. I was considering alternative materials to use for this project and did some research around artists who use unusual materials in their craft or maker work.

I came across the work of Ruby Silvious who uses recyclable materials in her work. Not only do I love the concept of using something of discard or no value and creating something decorative or of worth with it. She also uses waste products and recyclable materials to create works of art.

Initially I saw these as just painted egg shells but then after looking more closely I started considering them as vessels in their own right. each unique and individual. pen and ink on eggshell. this is just an everyday throw away by product of every day and also the cooking industry.

It is interesting to consider the hidden value of things and ways of repurposing broken or rejected goods.

Silvious also did the same with bin worthy tea bags repurposing them into delicate bowls with intaglio printing on the surface. the bowls have a really lovely fragility and opacity to to them. although these wouldn’t be a practical vessel to use for liquid it has a decorative quality to it.

Paper and other mailable type materials will be ideal for me to experiment with. To consider the ethical impact of what I am creating and I would like to explore ways I can use materials that have lost their purpose.

A team of students from imperial college london have created a biopolymer from used lobster shells. Although this product has a fuction; to provide nutrition to plants as well as creting a product as a replacement for large scale manufacture of single use plastics. the material qualities of the lobster shell creates a really interesting alternative material.

The main thing I can take away from this is the possibilities for using a waste material and making it into something with practical and aesthetic value.

Considering these works I am now very inspired to have a greater emphasis on the recycled aspects of my work and ways I can repurpose something that would otherwise be a waste material.

Whilst researching for traditional paper craft I came across the work of Gizella k Warburton. She has developed a unique mixed media contemporary craft approach to a bowl. I am drawn to her work for the textural variation as well as the use of stitch and paper and fabrics. she describes her work on the interior spaces blog (Selvedge Magazine. 2020. INTERIOR SPACE. [online] Available at: <‘My current practice has its origins in stitched cloth,’ Gizella explains, ‘though undoubtedly rooted in embroidery and patchwork, I experiment with and refine processes in a search to describe the way elements have imprinted themselves in my mind.’) as ‘My current practice has its origins in stitched cloth,’ Gizella explains, ‘though undoubtedly rooted in embroidery and patchwork, I experiment with and refine processes in a search to describe the way elements have imprinted themselves in my mind.’ There is a sense of refinement and control with her work. The use of stitch is used for structural support but also provides a form of delicate decoration. I find this interesting as it is something I have considered bringing into my work to relate it to my book binding skills.

Moving Forward I want to experiment more with the manipulation of paper and experimenting with ways of incorporating stitch into the work, while illustrating fables and stories.

When considering materiality for this project I wanted to consider traditional methods. I was interested in the use of paper mache because of its hand building property. I delved deeper into the research of the origin of the material and discovered its ties with Kashmir, India. it was first introduced to India during the 14th century. The indian process involves soaking paper for 3 to 4 days to form a pulp and mixing with rice glue to form a malleable paste that they form into objects using moulds. this they then polish and coat with a lacquer. These are usually formed into bowls vases, bowls, boxes and other small artifacts that are richly decorated using paint and gold. This is a process that is dying out in the area.

This is an example of a 19th century Beggars Bowl formed from paper mache. These vessels are usually highly decorated and support a highly intricate design. Often featuring folk art, fables, animals and flowers. I enjoy the vibrancy and eye catching details within this design.

I am drawn to this technique for its possibilities but also the ability to make something of no worth, value or interest into an artifact of great value and richness. I enjoy being able to make recycling a part of my projects and I am keen to have this sustainable element within my work as this is something I have always been conscious too.

The brief given; to create a gesamtkunstwerk bowl. Which typifies the values identified during my gesamtkunstwerk presentation (nature, diversity, juxtapose, traditional methods, illustration and storytelling). this bowl can be seen as an object or concept in the context of design and craft.

After talking to Ingrid in my personal tutorial, the ideas that i should consider to be present within my work is the use of traditional methods in order to explore my interest in book binding.

Developing my interest and technique in bookbinding needs to take primary position for this year as this is what I feel I want to continue after my degree. therefore I feel this needs to come through and be combine into this bowl project. To do so I need to think less about a physical book bound form and more of an object that uses the traditional forms, methods and material values of a hand bound book. considering stitching, materials, printing, lettering and illustration.

My current thoughts to explore paper cut and paper mache vessels that explores the restoration and conservation and building technique of bookbinding that I seek to become competent in by the end of this degree.

To do This I am going to explore paper mache as a means to create a delicate form that I can control the scale thickness and opacity of to explore the fragmentation seen when repairing older book. This I will then be able to experiment with colour illustration print, text and paper cut.