The Beauty of Detail

Spitalfields Sculpture Prize

Shortlisted proposal for the 2010 Spitalfields Sculpture Prize

'The Beauty of Detail' continues with my interest in site in terms of history and culture. This area of East End is renowned for having become, at various times, home to successive generations of diverse immigrants - from Huguenots and Irish to Jewish and more recently Bangladeshi communities. Its cultural traditions are steeped in silk weaving, leather ware, clock making, cigar making, barrow boys and a thriving fruit and vegetable market, all contribute to the rich tapestry that is Spitalfields today, nestled up against one of the Worlds financial centres. For 'The Beauty of Detail', I will create large-scale veil-like sculptures using fine metal threads, (stainless steel and brass), woven together, like silk, into a large maze-like installation. I would develop a beautiful textured sheet material that is malleable and almost transparent. I have researched and made contact with engineering metal companies that will develop the background woven mesh, which will be created into large stainless steel skin sheets, and use them to create divisions within the space. I am planning to develop a design that will be added to the mesh and can be created and made by the local community. Anyone interested and would like to get involved and participate with the project can do so.

The work is imaginative, like a water whirlpool of different cultures and generations that lived and passed through this part of London. It will also create a space for meditation where one can immerse them selves, an opportunity for escape from the busyness of London. Lighting will highlight the textures and structures within the skin sheets. These 'veil' like structures will be suspended from metal frameworks specially created to support the work.

This project also offers an opportunity to connect with local secondary school and engage students in the development process where they can contribute to the creation of various 'fabric' interwoven designs for the sculptures.