Want to know how I make the collages?
Watch this short video to see my process from start to finish.
Process and inspirations
I don’t work to a plan. I might have an inkling of what I want to do but that’s about as far as planning goes. I like to have three projects on the go at the same time as a way to hack my ADHD and procrastination; three kaleidoscopes, three collages, or three paintings, they have to be similar projects to stay in a rhythm. The three-dimensional kaleidoscopic collages are a combination of digital and analogue. I start with an image; this could be a photograph I've taken or a medical illustration. Once I have created the final digital design I print several copies and start cutting. I meticulously hand cut my work with scalpels and the most delicate scissors. I cut into the design more and more with each layer. I tend to wait until I've cut all the layers before building. They average at 30 hours to cut and approximately 12 hours to build - over a number of weeks. This is a very slow process which I find enjoyable, agonising and satisfying in equal parts. Having that awareness of my brain means I can work with it rather than fight it, moving between the three when necessary to maintain a steady flow.
Since being diagnosed with AuDHD (autism and ADHD) in 2020 I’ve come to understand myself more and the way I naturally work. Coming from a long line of neurodiverse creatives, It wasn’t a surprise. My practice has developed into two halves - which are like chalk and cheese. The stillness of cutting collage is almost like a meditation. But it’s also taxing on the brain and stiffens the body. This leads to a buildup of excess energy. So then I switch to painting, which feels like a big sigh of relief for my spine, body and brain. This is freer and more playful.
The reality of managing various health conditions including adenomyosis and epilepsy has also affected my practice - both on a conceptual and practical level. I like to think of my brain and body being like hidden ingredients that give the work its distinctive flavour. It’s also led me to my fascination in dark and twisty subjects like psychiatry, anatomy, forensics and folklore to name a few. I’m both inspired and frustrated by the politics of these areas - how it brings up the truth about the treatment of women and their health. I’ll often listen to true crime podcasts while I’m collaging to try and solve the puzzles. Victoriana has always been a big inspiration - the maximalism, curiosity cabinets, taxidermy and rich patterns. I devour books on the era and love picking up nuggets like how William Morris’ wallpaper was poisonous in part due to the family business in arsenic. Fascinating! And how the medical advancements that we all benefit from have such a dark history with body snatchers. I let these ideas stew for a while until they are ready to boil. Then I look for the imagery and source materials. I don’t have a mind’s eye (aphantasia) so it’s only once I start making that when I know which direction the work will go.