Each standing stone was created using a technique called 'coiling', a process by which coils are layered upon one another from bottom to top, being pushed together and blended as you go. Each stone would take between 4 - 6 days depending on size. By coiling the forms I could control the shapes & sizes of each stone, building up layers and allowing them time to dry before continuing to add more layers and therefore, height. Each piece has been fired twice and finished with real gold leaf. 

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The "Wall Stones" are also ceramic. the illustrations were digitally drawn and used to create silkscreen. These designs were then screen printed directly onto the clay using a mixture of Red Iron Oxide and Yoghurt. the yoghurt acted as a suspender for the oxide particles which allowed them to be pulled through the screen evenly. Once dry, the wall stones were fired, this process burns away the natural material of the yoghurt but binds the iron oxide to the surface of the clay, resulting in beautifully clean illustrative print. 

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You can see more of this making process by visiting my Instagram account below.

 

The piece has been a labour of love since I am not accustomed to working with textiles. However, the body of the stag was created using a plywood frame, similar to a 3D-jigsaw puzzle which was cut out on a CNC-machine. 

The body was then filled out using a combination of wire framing, sponge and expanding foam that was shaped to create the right curves of the body. 

The patchwork quilt was made by sourcing second hand fabrics, all of which were cut and sewn together using a sewing machine to create rough pattern sections for the legs, body and neck. These were then hand-stitched onto the form of the stag to create his patchwork body. 

The head of the stag is ceramic and was sculpted by hand using a variety of hand-building techniques. It was then bisque fired and glaze fired and finished with a spray lacquer to enhance the colour and durability. 

The antlers were also handmade with wire. sponge and 'foam clay'. They were then sculpted and painted, and finished with gold leaf. 

You can see more of this making process by visiting my Instagram account below.

Each of the 'Guardians', the Owl, Magpie and Raven that sit atop the stones and guard the entrance to The Otherworld, are handmade ceramic sculptures. 

Each one was individually sculpted, fired and glazed and finished with gold leaf. 

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The sculpting of these pieces was the most familiar part of the whole making process when it comes to this installation. 

Sculpting with clay has always been something that I find equal parts challenging and exciting. during this project I have worked with clay in new ways and pushed the limit of my technical ability. But if there's one thing that clay teaches you, it's that practice makes progress, not perfection.

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if you'd like to see more examples of my sculpting process, you can find videos by visiting my Instagram account below.