About me:
As a child, I spent a significant amount of time in workshops and studios, moving through India, which is where I suspect I developed a strong familiarity and comfortability with handwork, ‘traditional’ craftsmanship and the subsequent valorisation of of naturally occurring materials. As such, over the years I returned and spent time observing craftspeople, artisans and artists which fed a curiosity in the culture of heritage craft which later became the core of my artistic practice. Now, the very fundamental roots of my work lie in the time I’ve spent with with a range of people in and out of studios across Maharashtra, India as well as in Okinawa, Japan. The historical significance of the traditional practices, processes and materials, born of ancient ways living are what inspire my writing and artworks. In many ways, my work is also a dedication to these craftspeople and artists that have not only contributed to my knowledge, understanding and technical ability, but have helped form the fundamental ways in which I think about the why at the heart of my practice.
As I draw upon what I have learnt from historical practices and the innovators of our past, I can observe of how they remain within certain realms of architectural, sculptural and textile-based crafts. As a large portion of my practice is in developing sustainable material compounds at ORNA, I apply this knowledge not only to my technical research, but in my artist practice alike. My artworks are made up of sculptural forms, functional and non-functional vessels, and drawings that speculate on the invaluable knowledge held within these processes, and they aim to provide a peaceful moment of contemplation.
My material research began with investigating bio-compounds, developing materials with consideration for their whole material lifespan, specifically their afterlife (how they’re disposed of). Alongside this I developed a fascination in ancient Japanese plant fibre practices while I was working in Chiaki Maki’s studio, Gangamaki in a foothill of the Himalayas. My time there became of great significance and eventually became the catalyst for my works change in direction from technical studies into a love of handwork and craftsmanship. I also spent some time in an architectural studio in Bombay, where the work I witness inspired the richness of thought and theory that support my biggest series of works, the Unforgotten Fibre Collection. Working in different studios in London contributed to my understanding of working with stone as well as my love for colour within practice, both of which are essential components of my work.
As the work is centred around exploring raw, natural and organic waste materials, using traditional techniques and aims to embody ancient forms of understanding and interacting with the world around us, often now sidelined. Sculptural works often involve weaving, stone carving, earth brick research and a few other processes. Meanwhile my drawings and wring pays homage to prehistoric technologies and material components and narratives of our past.
The nature of these collections communicate them as organisms in constant flux, defining the topography of their materiality in a midst of ongoing movement. As all components of my work document every possible dance of hands, and silent music of gesture involved in each respective process. As such, my work is interdisciplinary and exploratory but my focus and commitment is to working with materials that embody more care and appreciation for the world around us, demonstrating a human ingredient in its materiality and intention. As my work fosters an increasingly deep fondness and understanding of heritage craft, always working with care, consideration and understanding, it applies not only technical qualities, but sentiment alike, to look towards more sustainable ways of making. While practicing a workmanship of craft and risk alike, instead of fetishising innovation, it demonstrates sustainability alongside emotional materiality.
The more sculptural works look toward a more considered material future as they are born from earth, being made from plant fibre, mud, wood, soils and stone, they will also eventually return to the earth, without having done any harm.
Current Work:
O R N ACo-founder & Lead Material Designer
ORNA is a forward-thinking sustainable material re-use company, designing and delivering circular re-production processes that turn everyday waste into productsORNA is a forward-thinking sustainable material re-use company, designing and delivering circular re-production processes that turn everyday waste into products
Qualifications & Experience:
Mentorships
Gangamaki Textile Studio, Dehra Dun, India
Chiaki Maki
August-October 2023
Harvesting plant fibres, Basho and Ramie, plant fibre development and extraction, hand-spinning silk, indigo dying, loom set up, weaving and finishings, textile design and manipulation.
Studio Mumbai, Mumbai, India
Bijoy Jain
October 2023
Working on traditional architectural practices, in conversations around the making and curation for the show A Breath of an Architect, Cartier Foundation, 2024. Working on the collaboration between Chiaki Maki and Bijoy Jain in relation to client projects and commissions in Japan and India.
Akiko sān, Kuuru Kobu, Okinawa, Japan
Akiko sān
March / April 2025
Basho development and extraction, developing yarn, mangrove dye harvesting and dying, Umizarashi (washing fabric in the ocean).
Selected Work Experience
Kuuru Kobu
Okinawa, Japan
March-April 2025, full-time
Studio Assistant
Harvesting, plant fibre research, preparation and treatment, material fabrication, natural dying, weaving, cooking and studio maintenance
Gangamaki Studio
Dehra Dun, India
August-October 2023, December 2024
Internship
Harvesting, plant fibre extraction, hand-spinning silk, indigo dying, weaving
Studio Mumbai
Mumbai, India
July 2023, December 2024
Internship
Working with weaving silk and bamboo furniture, working with lime and natural clays and pigments. Preparation for show at the Louis Vuitton Foundation, Winter 2023
Content Creation co-ordinatinon and Sylist to ‘Shai’, musician
Mumbai, India & London, UK
September 2025
Styling and curation of music videos for independent artist
Paul Vanstone Sculptures
London, UK
Part-time 2024
Artist Assistant
Stone carving and polishing. Stonework repair. Retail and sales assistant, work one trade stands and art fairs.
Chelsea Flower Show
London, UK
May-June 2022, May-June 2023, May-June 2024
Trade Stand Assistant
Creative sales assistant, trade stand monitor and curation team.
Resting Reef
London, UK
Full-time, June - July 2023
Internship
Marine Biodiversity and Social Causes Specialism. Research and Development of colour diversity within bio-fabrication material structures to be placed within marine environments. Crowdfunding and social media planning and curation.
Dr Muirne Kate Dineen
London, UK
Part-time, 2023
Artist Assistant
Mentored in colour consultancy, colour theory, and colour development specialising in natural and organic colour relations in architectural and interior designs.
Michael Anastassiades Ltd.
London, UK
June 2019
Internship
Prototyping lighting infrastructures, specifically invisible cording ideation.
PHOENIX ON GOLBOURNE
London, UK
Part-time, 2014-2019
Shop assistant
Repairing and tailoring vintage clothing. Repairing and restoring vintage furniture.
Intern, Bookmark Content Design
London, UK
September 2019
Internship
Kelling Designs Showroom
London, UK
June-July 2018
Internship
Textile samples research, collection and identification.
Teaching Experience
Workshop development, The Circle Collective charity, London, UK
Part-time, august 2023
Co-ordinating and running creative and stimulating workshops for small groups of U25s with learning difficulties or disadvantages in order to prepare them for the workplace.
Youth forum volunteer, the National Portrait Gallery, London, UK
Part-time 2018-2020
Co-ordinating U18 and primary school level young people’s workshops, tours and events to enhance engagement with the gallery and educational creative programmes.
Volunteer, Rugby Portobello Trust: St Clements and St James primary school, London, UK
Part-time 2018-2020
Coordinating U11 primary school level young people’s after-school club for arts and crafts.
Volunteer, Sayers Croft Activity Centre, Ewhurst, UK
Full-time, August 2019
Working with children ages 4-16 engaging with outdoor activities and creative workshops.
Education
First Class Honours
BA Design
Goldsmiths University,
London, UK
2021-2024
Distinction
Art & Design Diploma, Visual Communication: Illustration and Animation
Kingston University
London, UK
2020-2021
Life Drawing Classes
Etching and Printmaking Classes
The Royal Drawing School, London, UK
Part-time, 2018-2020
Life Drawing Classes
Ackava Studios, London, UK
Part-time 2019-2020
Textiles & Printmaking Course*
* Sublimation printmaking, textile manipulation and design, Weaving
Central Saint Martins, London, UK
August 2019
A-Level Qualifications:
Francis Holland School, London, UK
A* English Literature
A* French
A* Art
GCSE & ICGSE Qualifications:
A* English Literature
A English Language
8 Maths
A Chemistry
B Physics
A Biology
A* History
7 Art
A* French
A* Spanish
Awards / Grants
Future Icon Award runner up, New Designers Selected at the Business Design Centre, 2025
The Tom Fund Grant, Goldsmiths University, 2023-2024
1st Prize Photography Award “Only Human” by Martin Parr, The National Portrait Gallery, 2019
Community and Public Service Award, Francis Holland School, 2020
Helen Burns Award for Contribution to the Wider Community, 2018
Gold, Silver & Bronze Duke of Edinburgh, Francis Holland School, 2016-2019
Skills Include
Stone Carving
Masonry
Amateur Woodwork
Bio-fabrication and Plant-Based Vegan Material Development
Weaving and Loom Handling
Colour Theory
Colour Consultancy
Intaglio & Aquatint Printmaking
Screen Printing
Life Drawing, The Royal Drawing School
Adobe Creative Cloud: Indesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Lightroom Classic, Goldsmiths University
English, fluent
French, semi-fluency
Spanish, amateur