Sensory Sculptures

Fractal Weaving

Interactive sculpture in three parts which can be displayed as a whole or separately in an organic and ever-changing way. Most people think of corals, mosses or lichens when they see it. It also makes me think of lungs, trees and seaweed. I've got an endless fascination for fractals found in nature, so it was fun to weave such a large one, and the perfect focus for my monotropic brain. 

The material used was remnants of plastic threads that would otherwise have been thrown away. Around 450 were needed to make the whole piece. 

Sensory Book: Undyed Shades of Scotland

A book without words... improvised to tell the story of Scottish wool and landscapes.

Each page has its own atmosphere inspired by the place that grew the wool used for it. It's a very friendly and cuddly book! 

I called the book Undyed Shades of Scotland in order to show the beautiful variety of shades that can be obtained without dyes. It's always satisfying to discover the character of a yarn and to marvel at the way its colours and texture subtly change depending on the light and the way it is worked. 

A fun fact is that the same sheep will give slightly or massively different colours each year, because it all depends on their age, genes, diet, health, happiness, and weather conditions. 

Made with undyed wool from Brawliemuir Farm, Colonsay Wool Growers, Barkland Croft, Caithness Yarns and Heatherlea Black Cheviot. 

Filomena the Woolly Brain

Meet Filomena the Woolly Brain! In French, “fil” means “thread” or “wire” and the expression “donner du fil à retordre” means something is particularly challenging… so Filomena is aptly named: making her was a bit of a headache at times, but mostly it was a pleasure and I genuinely feel that I rewired my own brain with each stitch/cell I added. 

Filomena is a hyperbolic structure crocheted with just over a kilogram of wool from the Isle of Harris. That’s over 2 kilometres of yar (2300m), which is mindblowing. Although it is a simple structure, it was not an easy one to make… supremely complex and delightfully challenging, especially on my poor hands! 

Living at the intersection of neurological illness, autism and c-PTSD I am fascinated by neuroplasticity, brain rewiring and neural pathways. I am routinely frustrated by the limitations my brain conditions impose on me, but equally marvel at what my brain can do. On the whole we have a great relationship in rather trying circumstances. 

Making a huge woolly brain is a wink to the myriad symptoms I have to manage on a daily basis, and it is also a cosy presence that is lovely to rest with. Having a tactile, visual representation of such a mighty and mysterious organ means a lot and invites me to take even greater care. I find it’s also a great conversation starter and a great tool for advocacy.