CHAOS // CATHARSIS

An experimental and ongoing collection of sterling silver pieces, with a hint of abstract expressionism. Available from The Metalsmith Shop.

Channeling a feeling of chaos into a feeling of catharsis. Creating with chaos, even a small form of chaos, for catharsis, which in turn, is an object that’s quite cathartic to hold and play with.

Exhibited with Handmade in Britain, Tebbs Contemporary Art Gallery, Heart Gallery, Platform Gallery and Chalk’s Gallery.

Currently stocked with The Colour Factory in Winchester, Alchemist Gallery in Inverness and Dotty Gallery in Twyford.

Upcoming Events: Handmade Oxford, Making Matters in Farnham, 6Artist Collective, Pyramid Gallery and Sara Preisler Gallery’s ‘Starry Night’ Exhibition.

Read more below.

‘Chaos’ occurs often, presenting copiously in a number of different levels of intensity and situations. The universe has provided us with a phenomenal example this past year, and not just the event itself, but the repercussions and the way it’s seeped and infected everything: socially, emotionally, physically and politically.

From emergencies, to lesser events; from global issues, to personal, it crawls into all sorts of spaces and when left unchecked, reigns fearlessly, and for lack of a better word, chaotically.

Catharsis, however, is a magical thing. To be able to breath again, whether it be temporarily during rare moments of peace, or because a period of time has ended, whether it was traumatic or less trying. To be able to immerse yourself entirely into something that is absolutely your innermost feelings and soul physically embodied, whether it is your reading, your art, your music, your loved ones or perhaps something else. A lot of the time - and I know this is a bit cheap - words truly cannot describe that feeling. Light as a feather, a breath of fresh air, a weight off your shoulders - finally you understand what the cliches have been saying!  

In such a chaotic world, contemporary craft is my catharsis. To disappear entirely into the pile of metal in front of me; the focus absolute. Zeroing in on this piece with undivided attention (good for focus, not so good when someone makes you jump because you were blissfully unaware of their presence). To research and explore for inspiration and find yourself lost in a world of someone else’s forms and colours. To practise a new skill or one you’ve done hundreds of times before. Getting lost in a new stream of ideas and experiments: throwing things around, smacking and squishing them into shape. Being able to forget the world, and any task or drama that may have presented itself recently - a sheer luxury.

I have witnessed a few relatively chaotic events in my life. These chaotic periods have been unsettling, but I’ve always been lucky to have my creativity to turn to, to be absorbed in until I’m ready to deal or as a way of dealing. I’m aware that not everybody has that opportunity/mode of escapism, so that’s where this all ties together. Whilst I am appreciating my method of ‘sooth’ (the processes, the ideas, the satisfying shapes), I will share with you in the hopes that you will find some catharsis in what I do, and we, in turn, can raise a little bit of money for those who desperately need to find theirs. 

Much like the MJNW, I intend on donating 10% from each sale out of the profit, to a UK-based mental health charity, Sane.