This small 9x12cm cityscape wall sculpture is called City of Gold 6: By the Meandering Stream. It is the sixth in my City of Gold series, which I have been working on for several years.
I created this wall sculpture from a white Spanish ceramic tile, slate mountain, gold chain, and watchband parts. I found the watchband parts in Vientiane, Laos, when I was working there as a volunteer in 2019. All the rest of the bits and bobs I found on the streets of Melbourne during my daily walks.
Working in found object assemblage
I am a found object assemblage artist and jewellery designer, creating wall sculptures, 3D sculptures and brooches. I limit my ‘raw materials’ to the metal, wood, tiles and plastic that I gather from streets and skips.
Many of my works are inspired by the Melbourne skyline, especially at sunrise and sunset. Often I try to incorporate ‘natural features’ – a bent nail that suggests a meandering river, rusted sheet metal that transforms into a cloud, or a broken tile that becomes a mountain.
My more abstract works are stimulated by the found objects themselves, which I often place in juxtaposition. At other times, I emphasise their rusted, scratched or variegated surfaces.
Sustainability in my arts practice
My art is inspired by a strong interest in sustainability through repurposing and upcycling. My hope is that this artwork makes you smile and, at the same time, reminds you of the 5Rs to help our planet: refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose and recycle.
