ANIMULA

Animula or little soul, is a series on underland entanglements related to heritage, myth, loss and emergance in unstable environments. The various constellations of research and sculpture created have been presented over the last 4 years. Working across meduims from generative carving, steelwork, pewter casts, grogged clay, to text, video and soundscape. In each iteration, viewers are immersed in undulating landscapes, speculative spaces, drawn to a horizon underneath our feet. The vastness and unseen nature of excavation explores relationships of matter, and organism, mourning and primal response within the earth.







2024


Working with active and inactive mine sites, ongoing iterations of Animula survey the role of descending underground as a transforming act. From these encounters and wider research into the material history and speculative bodies that occupy the imagination of the underland; I generative alabaster carvings that morph and change in their environment as a material reminiscent of monuments. From hanging stone ‘oculars’ serve as openings to other realms, intervening with light in the space. To vocal recordings envelop and reflect off the work, while a portal into descent is experienced from a metal ‘tunnel’, reflective maps and curious video screens within a new liminal space.

Through exploration of industrial landscapes, identity, transformation, and feminist perspectives, I positions my work as voice in the ongoing conversation about art’s role in societal and environmental transformation.

Frieze Focus, Solo Presentation, F9
Xxijra Hii Gallery
Frieze London

2022/23

‘Animula’ is an ongoing series drawing on underland entanglements based on research in Moray Firth caves in Scotland and early mine cartography. Using excavation as an entry point, I explore relationships of entangled precarious matter and organisms, in states of emergence and decay. Presented at Xxijra Hii in 2023 the new series of alabaster carvings depict amorphous forms seemingly in a bio transformation and without catogrisation. These carvings are woven into a winding network of vestibular forms, scattered schematics and algal ‘wet look’ surfaces, hand bent steel and experimentatal cast pewter. Central to the work is a collaborative sound piece developed with Clay Slade, that filled the space with choral utterances responding to texts written at the back of the cave. 


Animula: mud time fissures tethered in descent Xxijra Hii Gallery, Depford, 2023 // elements also shown in various group shows 2022/23