This 12x24x5cm wall sculpture is called Red Sky in the Morning, Sailors Take Warning. It comes with a stand, and can be set on a bookshelf or desk, or even in a workshop.
I created it from a piece of natural board, a red tile, a triangular piece of faux marble and various pieces of metal. All of these bits and bobs I found on the streets of Melbourne during my daily walks.
Working and exhibiting as a found object assemblage artist
I work as a found object assemblage sculptor 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.
This work was first exhibited in Diminutive at The Old Auction House gallery in Kyneton in 2019. It was also featured in Rivers Run Free at the Dirty Dozen in 2020, and later online from Painted Turtle Galleries, London.
My inspiration
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 may suggest a meandering river. Rusted sheet metal can transform into a cloud. A broken tile becomes a mountain.
In this work, I’ve drawn attention to the natural flaw in the board. I’ve ‘framed’ it with a piece of rusted metal, suggesting a dangerous underwater obstruction.
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.
My art is inspired by a strong interest in sustainability through repurposing and upcycling. My hope is that this artwork makes you smile. At the same time, reminds you of the 5Rs to help our planet: refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose and recycle.
