New work in progress

In my first term of third year and currently working on a number of pieces using organic materials, concrete, iron, resin and possibly bronze. All work is in progress.

 



 

Plaster mould of an old victorian door, to be cast in cement fondue

 

 

Experimentation with organic materials

Dildo



Cast Bronze 8" dong based on the tortures and rape of Fred and Rose West's victims at 25 Cromwell Street. Certain elements of the bronze has been buffed, creating the sense of a used object. 

 

 

An element of discomfort

After thorough research on the torture and killings of Fred and Rose West I was drawn to their use of an everyday object to pursue their torture of those innocent women in their basement unknown to everyone at the time of their complete evilness. This object was a mattress that I rescued from a skip as I was drawn to the pattern on the fabric. The mattress has been cast in cement using a plaster waste mould and then sealed with linseed oil, creating a dark finish. I chose to cast the mattress in cement as Fred used this particular material to bury their victims and due to it's industrial use the choice was evident. The name for the piece came from the idea of taking an object that is associated with comfort and abusing this with a hard, industrial and everyday use material.

 



 

Evidence

What remains

Installation piece exhibited in an exhibition based on the torture and rape of Fred and Rose Wests' murders at 25 Cromwell Street, portraying a horrific scene using the mattress, rubber dildo, blood and duct tape.

 

Torture

New series further exploring the torture, rape and murders of Fred and Rose West. The photographs were taken in a solitary and dirty location that reflected the basement of 25 Cromwell Street where the victims fell to their fate. I transformed myself into a victim and became as vulnerable as I possibly could using duct tape and a surgical mask. Another feature was fabric ties around my hands and feet that caused my circulation to turn them blue. Throughout these series of photographs, my main concern is to stay true to the theme and capture the horrific torture each victim suffered at the hands of the Wests. The location was crucial to the setting, the mattress, dildo and tool box were relevant props for the shoot after personal research revealed their uses during the abductions and rapes. My main concern is to capture the sense of realness and reality of these tragic events that have unfortunately become apart of our society.

Iron Artist Internship at Franconia Sculpture Park

Great News, I've been offered the opportunity to participate in the Hot Metal Pour at Franconia Sculpture Park as an Iron Artist Intern during the Summer, 2013. The deadline was March 30th and my application was a last minute decision but to be given an internship of this level in America is a fantastic and life changing opportunity. It will have a positive impact on my artistic career and creative development, enabling me to exhibit work internationally and form friendships and contacts with other interns.

New works in progress

This term is becoming very hectic and time is starting to run out, I'm currently working on sculptural based pieces using cement and bronze. I began exploring the West's murder case, looking closely at Rose West and the sexual abuse that victims suffered at her fate. Over the past few months thorough research has developed using books, newspaper articles and the ITV drama 'Appropriate Adult.' I've become fascinated with this case due to the psychological and mental tendencies that accumulated over a long period of time among Fred and Rose West. The case is a strong focal point within my practice at the moment and will be for some time.

Plaster six piece mould of a double mattress that has been layered with cement fondue

Plaster chipped from the cement to reveal the mattress inside

 

The detail is slowly revealed with a clear sign of movement and fabric texture

 

 

Bones situated within concrete pieces set on glass

 

Bound and Gagged

These black and white photographs are based upon the torture, rape and murder of Fred and Rose Wests' victims that they bound and gagged for their own satisfaction to carry out sexual abuse. Within them I have taped my entire head using duct tape and straws to help me breathe. The experience was strange and unfamiliar as I had no control of what was happening or of what could go wrong due to the risks. My aim is to further experiment with this concept due to the discomfort and abuse that the victims suffered at the hands of Fred and Rose West.

 

'Bad Girls'

My interest in memory, focusing particularly on loss, enables me to explore sensitive and delicate subjects. Crime and murder have become a focal point within my practice, and I have become particularly interested in and curious about British female serial killers. Within each photograph I transform myself into Myra Hindley, Mary Bell, Rose West, Beverly Allitt and Maxine Carr. The series of photographs involves impersonating these infamous women creating the iconic and well known mug shot after the conviction of their horrific crimes. All of these women have been involved in, or committed, murder which has resulted in them taking the lives of vulnerable children. The element of innocence and youth of the victims can become a visual struggle at times due to the emotional and psychological involvement within the work. I aim to engage and confront the viewer through the challenging nature of the topic, and to subvert the stereotypical representation of femaleness in our society. 




 

Myra

 

 



Mary

 

 



 

Rose

 

 

 

 

 

Beverly

 

 

 

 

Maxine

Myra

Photographs inspired by the mug shot of Myra Hindley during the Moors Murders case. The original image is in black and white but there are a few examples of experimentation using colour inspired by the Marilyn Monroe prints by Andy Warhol.

Mug shot side view

Mug shot front view