A few years ago I was living in an idyllic little town called Beaminster, in Dorset. If you ever have a chance it is well worth a visit. Dorset is cut from the past, a still bucolic county of rolling, sheep-dotted hills and ancient amber-stoned cottages. Every week or so I would jump in my little car and navigate the winding country back roads, down to the charming, seaside town of Bridport. My destination was often a small antique & junk shop located at the far end of the high street. That dusty, crowded shop was filled with possibilities and magical finds: always treasures waiting to be discovered. One day I came across an oily cardboard box, heavy with glass. Thinking it was leaded window pane I passed it by. As I was leaving, the owner pointed out that these were, in fact, lantern slides. I kick myself now that I didn’t buy the whole box. What became of them? I purchased about 20 for just a couple of pounds. Some of the broken ones I have used for Poultice.
Lantern Slide Projections were a direct ancestor of the motion picture projector. The first lantern slide projections in the 17th century were produced with the light from a candle or burning torch. An image, painted on glass, was ‘projected’ onto a wall. Later ‘Magic Lantern’ projectors made use of a mirror and light, projected through a lens, thus greatly magnifying the projected image.
This was magic. The slides were manipulated in such a way that they actually seemed to move! The resulting fantastical apparitions seemed alive..so much so that in the 17th Century, charlatans used them to ‘resurrect’ the dead for people desperate to contact their loved ones. Lantern productions were often shut down after audiences reacted with shock, horror, and bewilderment…thinking these ghostly visions were real. Their use as crowd entertainment is depicted in the delightful film ‘Sweetland’, (produced by a friend of mine – worth watching). In the film the audience is shown singing along, thus bringing the production to life !
I use lantern slide fragments in my work. And as anyone who has browsed through my Poultice website knows, I am rather obsessed with Mary & Percy Shelley and this literary group known as the Romantics. A couple of years ago I began creating pieces based on the link between Mary Shelley, her groundbreaking novel ‘Frankenstein’ and lantern slides. The connections are fascinating.
Phantasmagoria were imaginary or fantastic images that appeared in dreams or came from a fevered imagination. Both Mary and Percy had experienced phantasmagoria. The term comes to us from the magic lantern slide entertainment developed in 1802 by J.B. Eyries. In 1812 (when Mary was 15 and had just met Percy) Eyries wrote a book of ghost stories called ‘Fantasmagoriana’. It was this very book that Lord Byron read aloud to Mary and Percy Shelley on the night of June 16, 1816…the night Mary was inspired to write Frankenstein.
Numerous books at this time refer to Phantastmagoria or lantern slide projections. William Hazlitt…best friend to William Godwin (Mary’s father) often gave shows at the family house, along with some rather wild and horrifying demonstrations involving electricity. As a girl, Mary would have witnessed these phantasmagorical scenes of light, shadow and electrical experimentation…and heard the ongoing philosophical debates. Mary herself wrote in her journal on 28 December, 1814 “Go to Garnerin’s Lecture of Electricity, the gasses, and the phantasmagoria”. She was just 17. By this point she had already run off with Percy Shelley, become shockingly infamous, traipsed around Europe, and returned again to England. She and Percy (along with most of London) were fascinated with the notion of resurrection. Their group discussed scientific experimentation and electricity and debated the ethics of human dissection and grave robbing, prevalent at the time. Later Mary wrote of how these ‘marvelous philosopher’s’ ….’mock the invisible world with its own shadows’.
The necklace shown here is ‘Creation – Monster’. The lantern fragment I have used is from a scientific slide (sadly used up now). The delicate painted image shows early under sea life forms…the forerunner to human life. ‘Creation-Monster’ refers to Mary Shelley’s beloved and monstrous creature who was created and brought back to life by Dr. Frankenstein…only to be cast out by his ‘father’ and rejected by every human he came into contact with. The monster was human (created from humans), but his appearance was phantasmagorical…a monstrous reflection of humanity. The fragment of scientific lantern slide refers to the scientific origins that spawned this sad and ‘unnatural’ monster…Mary’s creation who is doomed to live in the shadows.
To view past pieces that include lantern slide fragments, go to ‘Collections > Lantern Slides’. To view available lantern slide fragments, just waiting for inspiration to hit…go to ‘Commissions > Materials Available for Commission’. If any of these fragments or materials inspires you… I would love to discuss!
I was recently asked for an interview by jeweller Amy Kanka Valadarsky (AKV Jewelry). I was happy to oblige and delighted with her perceptive questions that delved a bit deeper into my process. Thank you Amy.
Amy Kanaka Valadarsky’s Interview
Now here is a woman who loves Jewellery! Born in 1847, Lotta Crabtree & her family traveled west from New York to the California Gold Rush. Settling in a place called ‘Grass Valley’ they ran a boarding house and were caught up in the rush of gold fever. As a little girl Lotta loved to dance and sing. As it happens…a few doors down, in a delightful little cottage, lived Lola Montez, entertainer and infamous woman. Lola Montez had a wild & headstrong history and was soon to travel to Australia. But for the moment she acted as a sort of agent auntie and encouraged Lotta’s enthusiasm for performance…greatly inspiring the little girl’s future career in theatre. The lovely Lotta Crabtree went on to become ‘The Nation’s Darling’, and the wealthiest entertainer of the 19th century.
The Feature Article (click here).
….finally sharing the feature article ‘Freshly Worn Magazine’ did with Poultice Jewelry. Expert styling & art direction by ‘G for Grace’ (the amazing Grace Chumfong)…gorgeous fashion photography by Art Zaratsyan. And three lovely models; Rachel, Alicia and Ashleigh.
The fashion shoot took place a couple of months ago. I was contacted by Grace Chumfong who suggested a tantalizing collaboration. Knowing that my work referenced historical subjects…she suggested a quasi-historical take on a fashion shoot. Grace, Art and I met to discuss story ideas…some were more complex than others. In the end a simple story of three formidable sisters won out…the three Bronte sisters. Grace sourced the fashion (primarily vintage) as well as organizing the make-up artist/hair stylists and the location.
The shoot took place in a beautiful, historic warehouse space that was now a domestic home. The owners were collectors of art and historical emphemera…some of their pieces are seen in the photographs. The shoot took place over the course of a morning and extended into the afternoon. During the shoot I was able to talk to the models about the Brontes and told a few stories linked to each piece of jewelry (lovely for me!). It was so interesting to be part of this process. And I love watching photographers at work. ‘G for Grace’ and ‘Art Zaratsyan Photography’ then took the results and worked up a promotional package for Poultice. This resulted in a feature article with ‘Freshly Worn’.
Freshly Worn magazine supports emerging creative talents. I’m so happy with the results. Hope you enjoy the article. x0
Freshly Worn Magazine Facebook
Some people have asked me…why the name ‘Poultice’? Most people think of a poultice as something you put on a wound, to make it better. On living bodies, warm poultices are spread on the inflamed area, providing relief, easing pain…& sometimes increasing circulation. In other words, a poultice draws out, heals and sometimes excites.
As a museum & gallery conservator I have also used Poultices to draw out stains from deep within old objects. Over time the stain is revealed on the poultice itself. A lot can be learned from what you find on a used poultice. Quite magical really. A poultice, therefore, works with an object… slowly beginning at the surface….and drawing something out from deep within.
I want my pieces to work at different levels. The outer layer, or surface appearance has an aesthetic appeal. But when you apply narrative…you discover a deeper and more complex meaning, hidden from common sight. A bit like the process of empathy and understanding another person’s perspective.
“I do not ask the wounded person how he feels, I myself become the wounded person”. Walt Whitman
My hope is that using personal narratives to pull deep meaning from objects…and displaying that meaning….might result in moments of empathy, compassion, hope…and perhaps a sort of healing.
Com•pat•i•or (verb)
·to have compassion (feel) pity ORIGIN: Latin compassio, from compati
The Compatior series deals with compassion in all its forms. I myself am a vegan and committed animal lover. Some of the pieces in the Compatior series describe our profound connection with animals. ‘Platero’, for instance, describes the ongoing life journey…a pilgrimage…taken by a small donkey and her devoted human companion. Other pieces in the Compatior series deal with compassion for nature and the earth. ‘The Last Tree’ weaves fact, poetry and myth to question whether we can avoid a shadowy future that holds one last tree. ‘Apis-Corvus (The Honey-Bee & the Crow)’ speaks of compassion for the natural cycle of life….seed, bee & bird. Other pieces link a single piece of exquisite poetry with a demonstration of compassion.
Compatior Logo designed by Gordon Duggan.
The photos for the upcoming feature in Freshly Worn Magazine were shot by Art Zaratsyan, with styling by Grace Chumfong. The concept for the shoot is based on the bond between the three Bronte sisters (Charlotte, Emily and Anne). At the time of the shoot I had been working on a small collection of pieces based on the 19th century Brontes and their writings. Isolated in a remote parsonage on the Yorkshire moors, the sisters formed an intensely creative bond. All three of them produced books that were highly unusual and deeply personal. Their bond was only broken by the premature deaths of Emily and Anne. Here is one photo from the shoot depicting two of the ‘sisters’. (Emily and Charlotte are wearing ‘Lodore’, ‘Lost at Sea’ and ‘Juno’).
Come and visit Poultice FACEBOOK for day-to-day comments on my studio practice…thoughts on creativity…as well as the occasional post about living on the west coast of Canada. I’ve been writing on FB since early 2012. My posts there are a bit more personal and philosophical. I will tell you about the successes and the failures. And some of the delightful finds that come my way. So…welcome! I always love receiving your comments and suggestions. (Model Ashley wears ‘Endymion (Sweet Dreams)’)
Poultice Narrative Jewellery on Facebook
Poultice Jewelry has been invited to participate in a fund-raising event set for the evening of June 28, 2013 in Vancouver, B.C. Proceeds are being raised on behalf of the pediatric cancer centre in Vancouver. The evening sounds like it will be a magical & immersive experience. The theme is a Midsummer Nights Dream; a programme of story-telling, music, fashion, art installation and theatre is being put together by Ami Muranetz. It will take place in a candle-lit garden in one of the old heritage mansions in Shaughnessy. The event also supports the careers of emerging artists in Vancouver. Tickets are very reasonable, especially if purchased early…it’s a great cause and close to my heart!
Midsummer Nights Dream Fundraiser
Today I am launching the website for Poultice Narrative Jewellery! For those of you who have been following Poultice on Facebook, hello again! I hope you find something new to enjoy. For those of you who are new to Poultice Jewellery, I’m delighted you have found me. Please visit my Facebook Page and follow that too! Facebook is where you will find a more day to day conversation describing my process, my interests and the projects I’m currently working on.
A few words about this website; first…I love it! It has been designed by Gordon Duggan who was rigorous about ensuring a simple, informative and elegant result. It also makes the process of examining and purchasing a piece very transparent. And I do like transparency. Anyway, here it is….I hope you like the site…and find it easy to navigate!
I will be adding a few more categories in the weeks to come. There will be a section that will make the commissioning process easy to understand. And I’ll be sharing some of the lovely comments I’ve received. But for now…here it is: Poultice Narrative Jewellery. Let me know what you think!
