Vegetative Alchemy Research & Development
This research and development project explores a new strand in my practice, referred to as vegetative/vegetal alchemy.
It investigates transformation as a living, embodied process through visual, material and discursive research.
Rather than producing finished works, this period deepens skills, dialogue, and writing that will inform future sculptural and scholarly work.
Example of glass and ceramic sculptural work
This Matter is You and I, 2024
Alchemical manuscript research conducted in the Wellcome Collection Archives, London in 2022 (funded by a-n Professional Development Bursary)
Material thinking in the studio. Ceramic and glass works.
Dismemberment and re-seeding within vegetal alchemy.
DYCP funded skills development in glass lamp-working.
The R&D project would build upon this with advanced skills concentrating on glass tubing key to future sculptural works
Key archival research will be unlocked
"The picture archive of the C.G. Jung Institute Zurich comprises two exceptional collections: The C.G. Jung Collection with approx. 4500 pictures of his patients . . , and the Jolande Jacobi Collection (Jung's pupil and colleague) with approx. 6500 pictures and drawings."
- Picture Archive, Jung Institute
​
The R&D period will support renewed and expanded archive-based research, including work at the Warburg Institute, Wellcome Collection, and the C.G. Jung Institute in Zurich.
​​
The project enables development of research into draft essays and lecture formats that will later circulate publicly and across disciplines.
Feedback Examples From Previous Public Talks where ideas germane to this R&D project have been discussed.
​​​​​​
"I can’t tell you how much you have helped open up my artistic practice as well as my Self. Truly enriching in many, many ways"
​​​​
​
"You have such a gift for conveying this deep material. I love the combination of images, quotes, insights…"
​
​
“Much like the alchemy you research, your lecture beautifully blended the theory with historical imagery and your own practice . . . it was enlightening both in its content and your methodology.​"
​
