Microcosm

Created in response to the theme of ‘Perception,’ for the SCAF Emerging Artist Award 2024,
for which I was a finalist.
This embroidered print draws on a childhood memory: the idea that no two people ever see the same rainbow. That simple yet profound fact stayed with me, shaping my understanding of how deeply personal our experiences of the world can be. To explore this, I embroidered thousands of French knots across the surface, each one a tiny point of colour. Together, they transition gradually from one hue to the next—symbolising the slow, shifting nature of perception. The rainbow becomes a metaphor for a shared reality that is nonetheless individually interpreted. We may each see it differently, but the rainbow is still there. This work celebrates both the beauty of that difference and the comfort of common ground.

My process begins with lino printing, a technique that provides a bold, structured foundation. Onto this surface, I embroider organic forms that emerge intuitively. The embroidery is never planned in advance; it evolves naturally, guided by the mood of the moment, and the visual rhythm of the underlying print. No two pieces are the same. The forms grow, shift, and adapt, mimicking nature.
Combining the repetitive precision of printmaking with the fluid, tactile nature of embroidery, I can explore the tensions between control and spontaneity, structure and softness. 

This series of screen prints is inspired by the sense of awe I experienced when first encountering fluorescent minerals glowing under UV light. I was struck by their otherworldly transformation and how energy or light could be stored within these ancient forms.
In response, some of these prints explore bold colour contrasts and layered compositions, capturing that visual shift and sense of discovery. Others are printed with UV-reactive ink, designed to echo the minerals’ luminescence and their hidden potential. These works invite viewers to engage with light and perception, revealing new dimensions that, like the minerals themselves, only come alive under specific circumstances."

This print grew from my research into river systems, exploring the patterns and rhythms that shape them. I’m drawn to the micro–macro relationship; how tiny details reflect larger structures, and how both are bound together in living systems.

Our rivers and seas are under increasing threat, a reality that can leave us feeling powerless. Yet within the watercourses themselves, and in the life they sustain, there is resilience and renewal. By looking closely at these systems, we can find both hope and inspiration for how to respond.

I created a number of unique dry-point prints with chine colé elements that add areas of color, depth and texture. 

The drypoint plate itself has become a work in its own right. Made from clear plastic, it can be placed directly in natural settings and photographed. In this context, the hand-etched marks interact with their surroundings—leaves, flowers, and shifting light—creating an interplay between drawn line and natural form. These elements, partly obscured yet still visible through the marks, introduce colour, depth, and a dialogue between the human gesture and the living environment.