2024
Morphit, aluminium, wood, silicone, steel, lacquer
Still life photographs by John Moore
Model photographs by David Myers

An exploration in form, material, and transformation

Introducing Morphit

In 2022, I began an ongoing period of research and development to create a new composite material for my work. I call it Morphit. It combines recycled paper fibre with artist-quality pigments and other conservation-grade ingredients to form a clay-like substance that can be sculpted when wet and carved when dry.

Cranes Fighting in the Snow is the first piece I’ve made using this new material.

Making the Work

I build areas of pattern by inlaying different colours, similar to the technique of marquetry. Finer details are added by carving into the surface and inlaying wet clay, which I later sand back to a smooth finish once dry. A clear lacquer protects each segment, which I assemble along a silicone extrusion.

A Shift in Aesthetic

The development of Morphit came from a desire to achieve a softer, more organic aesthetic in my work. Earlier pieces like Pagoda I and Pagoda II were made from sheet aluminium and have a highly engineered, metallic feel. In contrast, Cranes Fighting in the Snow has a more bone-like quality — closer in texture to the pangolin scales that often inspire my practice.

Exhibition and Recognition

I’m incredibly grateful to Didier Ltd for their generous support in the making of Cranes Fighting in the Snow, and for giving the piece its debut at Treasure House Fair London 2024, where it appeared alongside works by artists such as Salvador Dalí, Max Ernst, and Picasso.

Documenting the Work

A huge thank you also goes to photographer David Myers for his stunning documentation of the piece. This shoot marked the first time I modelled my own work — a memorable moment for me. One of the images was later selected for The Jewelry Book by Melanie Grant, published by Phaidon in 2025.

Cranes Fighting in the Snow can be seen in the flesh at Jewellery Now: the curators’ edit an exhibition of cutting edge contemporary jewellery at Ruthin Craft Centre 5 July – 21 September 2025