A chair is both sculptural in form and utilitarian in concept, it is in general defined by human dimensions (ergonomics) and is a cultural signifier through it’s design, materials and cost, I am interested in exploring chairs as sculptural objects and to convey message and meaning.

Created in collaboration with artist and printmaker Jacqui Symons and reflecting a shared interest in entomology and concern regarding the decline in insect species worldwide. These Insect chairs celebrate the diverse beauty of invertebrates and encourages the viewer to see these ecologically vital creatures in a new way.

By reimaging insects as a chair the piece explores the structural beauty of the insect form and their unimaginable variety of shapes and invites the audience to encounter these creatures in a new way.

The piece plays also against instinctual reactions to creepy crawlies (of disgust or unease perhaps mixed with fascination) and touches on the uncanny through use of scale and the repurposing of the familiar everyday object of a chair in combination with the unfamiliar yet also everyday life-form the insect.

We hope the audience will look closely at the printed fabric, which shows 100 species in detail and perhaps taking a seat amongst them.

Full details of the hand printed fabric and upholstery of the chairs see Jacqui Symons' website.

Please note: None of the insects included pose a threat to the viewer and no insects were harmed in the making of this piece.

The artists are currently working on a series of ‘altered chairs’ and pieces can be purchased and commissioned from them.

Exhibited at:
The Complete Printmaker Show at Hot Bed Press
CounterPart Lytham (2016)
Natural:History (a fable of progress)