New From Old

A few years ago I completed a small series of works that drew from practices in the 19th century British Victorian era namely flower arranging, collecting and wearing corsets.

All works are built upon sand mold patterns recovered from a decommissioned foundry in Vancouver, BC. Sand mold patterns were built by tool and die makers for the purpose of manufacturing metal parts. This industrial art has been largely replaced by computer assisted design and robotic assembly. Although the sand mold patterns and the Vancouver foundry have been rendered redundant in a manufacturing context, there is still beauty to appreciate in the forms of the patterns and their story.

‘Valour’, resembling an oversized locket, taps the Victorian penchant for floriography where flowers were used to express (often suppressed) emotions. The bones, representing flowers, are from the spine of a Vancouver Island Blacktail deer I found during a walk. I thought they looked like irises when grouped and stood on end. The iris signifies faith, hope and valour.

‘Valour’ - wood (sand mold), bone, intaglio print on rag paper, plexiglass, steel. Approx. 13” x 10” x 2”

Collecting was an obsession for many Victorians. ‘Aviators’ represents one of the collecting rages of the British leisure set, lepidoptery - the scientific study of butterflies and moths. I wonder what inspires a human to kill a butterfly?

‘Aviators’ - wood (sand mold), copper, steel. Approx. 20” x 8” x 2”

‘Corset’ commemorates the dutifully practiced custom of female waist bondage. Corsets were essential undergarments for Victorian women. Some children wore corsets to learn correct posture. My great grandmother wore a corset her whole life.

‘Corset’ - wood (sand mold), leather, dye, steel. Approx. 7” x 10.5” x 7”