Pre.cious adj 1. worth a great deal of money 2. highly valued, much loved, or considered to be of great importance 3. rare or unique and therefore to be used wisely or sparingly or treated with care.
(Encarta 1999)

The notion of ‘preciousness’ or rather what we perceive as precious, is central to my work. I question the values of contemporary society and our inclination towards self-interest, material worth and ostentation. We become obsessed with a quest for possession, our craving for ownership and in this obsession we overlook the simple pleasures of life.

It is these simple pleasures, my simple pleasure of walking, foraging and finding treasures, that others maybe ignore, that allows me to contemplate the modern world in which we live. The natural treasures that I select are very specific. Form is paramount; that which is overlooked, odd or indeed unexpected. Within my practice, it is my intention to reintroduce the viewer to these simple pleasures.

Traditionally trained as a jeweller I am well acquainted with the complexities of adornment, which encompasses both the attractive and unattractive traits of the human condition. Within my current body of work, I specifically chose to echo the forms and language of traditional jewellery. Culturally the ring carries a weight of meaning, including, status, commitment, sentimentality and possession. The traditionally valued gem stones, however, are replaced by ‘gems’ from nature. The expected velvet lined box is replaced by porcelain and living moss. The inclusion of these natural elements hint at a certain fragility. They invite the viewer to embark upon an intimate relationship with the pieces, a relationship founded on a new form of commitment, sentimentality and possession. The pieces invite you to care and in doing so force you to question what is and what we perceive as precious.