After two years of experimentation, Cranes Fighting in the Snow was the first piece to be made from a new composite material developed by John in his Brighton studio. Morphit combines paper fibre with other ingredients into a clay-like substance that can be sculpted when wet then cut and carved when dry. Only conservation-grade materials are used to ensure longevity. Artist quality pigments are mixed through the clay and areas of pattern are achieved through inlaying different colours, much like marquetry. Finer details are achieved by carving and inlaying wet clay which, when dry, can be sanded back to a smooth finish. A coating of clear lacquer was applied to protect the separate segments before assembling them along a silicone extrusion.

The research that lead to Morphit was born from a desire for a softer, more organic aesthetic than one can achieve easily using sheet metals. Pagoda I and Pagoda II were both constructed from sheet aluminium and have a highly engineered appearance, whereas Cranes Fighting in the Snow has more of a bone-like quality, closer in texture to pangolin scales that inspire John’s work.

Cranes Fighting in the Snow was made with the generous support of Didier Ltd who also gave the piece it’s debut appearance at Treasure House Fair London 2024, along side works by artists such as Salvador Dali, Max Earnst and Picasso.

The necklace will also form part of Jewellery Now: the curators’ edit an exhibition of cutting edge contemporary jewellery at Ruthin Craft Centre 5 July – 21 September 2025

John would also like to give special thanks to photographer David Myers for his incredible work.