Embedding Emotion An Exploration of Co-production and Craft

Description

My practice focuses on the traverse between contemporary art, design and craft, looking at creating artefacts to store memories of lost love. I collect memories from people relating to platonic, familial and romantic relationships that they have experienced, which then inform the development of sculptural artefacts, created to capture and embody a personal narrative.

As part of this research the aim was to use techniques of co-production. Working with participants and craftspeople whilst developing new craft production methods by creating a series of new artefacts that are imbued with meaning, comparable to a reliquary or memory object.

Participant interviews based around their memories of lost love are analysed as a starting point for each artefact. The analysis of the narrative informs the making process. Working predominantly in translucent silicone that allows detailed casting of existing objects, combined with traditional leatherwork practice. These labour and time intensive processes allow for each memory to be relived and translated from memory to material. As a maker I work alongside other craft practitioners to learn new skills to fulfil the memories of individuals such as forging, wood turning and crochet. The finished artefacts portray a physical recollection of a lost love memory.

Period	4 May 2021
Event title	Biennial International Conference for the Craft Sciences 2021
Event type	Conference
Location	OnlineShow on map
Degree of Recognition	International