Title: Sanquhar Brickworks Collaborative Stained Glass Window

Materials: Stained Glass (majority reclaimed), Lead

Year: 2024

Artists: Amy Lees-Doherty, Anya Rose, Barabara Tong, Sarah Wilson and Keira McLean

Description to come.

Photo by Andrew Barcham

Description to come.

Photograph by Andrew Barcham

Description to come.

Photograph by Christopher Taylor

Description to come.

Photograph by Christopher Taylor.

Materials: The Ready-Made (steel, enamel)

Year: 2017

"Where Did You Go?" explores effects of cancer, illness and the reality or fear of the sudden loss of a loved one.

When you lose someone, it's never a clean-cut (emotionally or mentally), it's painful. It's a hot, rough, uncontrollable pain that feels as if it will burn right through you.

The human touch is removed from these pieces. Melted and burnt out, leaving bubbly, rough and uneven edges. Even if you wanted to fix it, even if you tried, there is no way to fix it. 

These pieces were made in response to my Dads ongoing battle with cancer. The ready-made objects reflect fond memories of family camping trips, while the process used was taught to me by my Dad and reflect his trade.

I have found the reactions and responses to the work have been varied and interesting. Some people say they feel a dark "cataclysmic" nature to the work, while others find it fun and playful.

However, I find that the importance of these works is for the viewers to be able to interpret the works in whichever way they need to at this current time in their lives.

Photograph by Matthew Stanton

Materials: Soapstone, Chalk, Silver, Steel, Ceramic, Bandage, Fur (ethically sourced), Antler (ethically sourced), Brass, Mirror, Pastry, Ash, Wood

Year: 2017

Rings in response to a character study of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit / There And Back Again.

Individual character/material justifications:

Kili - Stone

Kili and Fili found the caves in the Misty Mountains that the company used to take shelter from the storm and stone giants.

Kili and Fili are always depicted together; similarities and strength as brothers; and their strong connection and blood right to the Lonely Mountain. Therefore the materials for the two brothers should differ but share a strong connection.

Fill - Chalk

Kili and Fili found the caves in the Misty Mountains that the company used to take shelter from the storm and stone giants.

Kili and Fili are always depicted together; similarities and strength as brothers; and their strong connection and blood right to the Lonely Mountain. Therefore the materials for the two brothers should differ but share a strong connection.

Throin - Silver

Thorin’s nobility and wealth continually aline him with precious metals and stones. However, silver is continually mentioned throughout the book in relation to Thorin, even featuring in his introduction to the readers: “…a sky-blue [hood] with a long silver tassel. The last belonged to Thorin, an enormously important dwarf, in fact, no other than the great Thorin Oakensheild himself…”

Dori - Steel

Dori is mentioned most often in Chapter IV: Over Hill Under Hill, during the great adventure through the Goblin Caves. He was the last dwarf shackled in the line, with one Bilbo behind him.

Steel reflects strength. Each dwarf carries Bilbo in turn; however, Dori is depicted doing so most often and is charged with keeping Bilbo safe by Gandalf. This demonstrates Dori’s strength both strength of merit and physical strength.

Nori - Ceramic

Nori isn’t brought to attention independently often, but on the occasion he is, it is in relation to his love of food: “Dori and Nori (who shared the hobbit’s views about regular meals, plenty and often)”. This coupled with Nori being apart of the cleaning song, the first song introduced into the book, where the readers first get to really see the personalities of the dwarves; makes ceramic a suitable material for his depiction.

Ori - Bandages

Ori got injured in the barrels when the company escaped the dungeons, through the woods in the river to lake and the township of Lake Town. His injuries, amounts others, were to serve for the company in their current state and required the aid of the town's healers. This severity of injury allows for bandages to be used as Ori’s depicting material.

Bifur - Fur

The choice to use fur relates to Bifur being mentioned in Beorn’s home, the skinwalker with all of his animals. The use of fur is a play on his name, which may make the ring more directly relatable (conceptually) for the wearer and/or viewer.

His cousin, Bofur, is represented with bone (antler) and he is represented with fur.

Bofur - Antler

The choice to use an animal byproduct relates to Bofur being mentioned in Beorn’s home, the skin-walker with all of his animals. This along with the “fur” in his name conjures the mental image of animals, making the jump from “Bo-fur” to “bone-fur” is not that unreasonable.

His cousin, Bifur, is represented with fur and he is represented with bone (antler).

Dwalin - Brass

Dwalin was the first dwarf in to be introduced to Bilbo and the reader. His introduction began with “a tremendous ring on the front door-bell”; which was assumable make of polished brass but would have been become quite dented over the course of the dwarves arrivals.

Balin - Mirror

Balin is the second dwarf introduced (and Dwalin’s brother). His duty for the company was always as the lookout whether it was at the Green Dragon Inn or after goblin attacks or on the Lonely Mountain. Balin is always the look out. A mirror is suitable for him as it is a way to see more around you, even whats behind you. A useful tool for any lookout, especially one on such a dangerous journey.

Bombur - Pastry

Pastry is a fitting material for Bombur as he is almost always alined with food. The main feature Tolkien gave him was his rotund figure.

In the Mirkwood after being drenched in the cursed waters, Bombur has dreams or visions (unclear) of the Mirkwood elves feasts which he describes in great detail. He is the first to experience the dreams/visions and the largest advocate of the party straying from the path to approach and hopefully join the elves.

Oin - Ash

All dwarves are good at lighting fires, but it is an area that Oin and Gloin excel in. Although they are not always successful due to circumstance, it is they to whom the company turn. Therefore the duo and their materials will represent pre- and post-fire.

Oin is post-fire, his material: ash. The charred remains of wood so the result of the warmth and safety he and his fire-making provided the company.

Gloin - Wood

All dwarves are good at lighting fires, but it is an area that Oin and Gloin excel in. Although they are not always successful due to circumstance, it is they to whom the company turn. Therefore the duo and their materials will represent pre- and post-fire.

Gloin is pre-fire, his material: wood. The material that offers the company the possibility of warmth and safety in the dark and dangerous journey with his fire-making abilities.

Photograph by Andrew Barcham

Title: Stone Giant

Materials: Mild Steel and Fine Silver

Dimensions: 10cm x 15cm x 0.5cm (approx.)

In response to J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit / There And Back Again

Photograph by Andrew Barcham

Title: Wearing Where: Once There Was A Herb Garden

Materials: Recycled Wood, Acrylic Paint, Sterling Silver, Stainless Steel, Copper

Year: 2017

Inspired by the idea that we carry with us the places we’ve been to.

Over a series of weeks, I drew in an A5 journal aiming to capture the essence of spaces with which I came into contact. Exploring what the spaces felt like, what emotions they evoked and aspects of their personality. From this exploration, I attempted to embody and abstract the responses into a series of six brooches. All based on the singular sketch, but each embodying a different aspect.

Individually the brooches give you an item, but together they build a place. A sense of space, a narrative that moves around you, or that you can move around in as the wearer.

Like the plants that the brooches depict, their narrative and environment is ever-changing as the wearer moves and grows themselves.

Photograph by Matthew Stanton

Title: Am I A Spoon?

Materials: Sterling Silver

Year: 2017