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Exploring the Relationships of Language, Text, Body and Object through the Production of Artifacts

This portfolio presents objects, jewellery and artefacts which explore the relationships that exist between language, words, objects and the body. Drawing on previous research surrounding the humanising effects of language in abstract art, the works look to create and reflect on languages interaction with objects through the form and narratives within the works. Rather than placing words on objects for aesthetic appearance or readability, meaning, words and form are combined to create three-dimensional works. It is this aim to combine these relationships and in the process have them dictate form, which separates this work from others in the fields of Applied Arts. The relationship between object, body and language is the most important aspect of this research. However, other aspects are evident: The relationship between sculpture and jewellery (or the worn and the artifact), recording speech and vernacular use, highlighting of word play especially in regard to disfluenices and sound collage. These works subverting the medium of English language have recently been highlighted by the exhibition ‘Subversive Design’ where work included in this portfolio are compared with original editions of Tristram Shandy as well as works by Grayson Perry, Vivienne Westwood and David Shirgley. I have won multiple awards for this body of works, including being named one of the Young Applied Artists of the Year by the BKV European Young Applied Artist of the Year 2012 award. The work has been displayed internationally and presented at events such as Collect at the Saatchi Gallery with Gallerie Marzee and as part of the Pushing Boundaries and Chasing Challenges Exhibition, in the World of Art Museum in Beijing, China.