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.

 



 

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.

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