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Welcome
to my site...

 I hope you will enjoy hearing more about my creative practice

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About

I am an eco-conscious artist working within an expanded field of craft who uses a multitude of materials. Based in the South West of England, and having recently completed a BA (Hons) in Craft & Material Practices, my practice explores the interplay between permanence and impermanence. A previous career as a nurse, where experiencing the fragility of old age was commonplace, has fed my fascination with ephemerality. I am greatly inspired by the parallels between the human body and the natural world.

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Use of organic matter shapes my design process with the intention to capture the natural world alive and in play. A symbiotic relationship with natural materials offers a connection to nature, allowing for a mindful and enriching practice. A strong focus on the use of transient materials, such as chia and wheatgrass, allows the viewer to witness the degradation of some work back into the environment through the course of momentary displays, allowing for an ever-changing and unique experience. Working in this way, lessens my imprint on the planet as work disappears back into the landscape. 

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In my recent semi autobiographical series of work, ‘Ephemeral Bodies’, I examine the ageing female form as an object which changes and decays over time. As humans, a fear of ageing is often experienced with subsequent manifestations of this causing fear and alarm, rather than embracement and celebration of these alterations. The exhibition work tells the narrative of a transience, with which mid-life can perhaps draw comparisons. This fleeting phase demonstrates a midpoint between life and death, between growth and decay where acceptance, peace and beauty may be found alongside fragility and vulnerability. Wheatgrass and Chia are grown, manipulated, interact and merge with other materials, such as latex, plaster, porcelain and copper to form a fascinating group of both living and inanimate objects, as subtle representations of bodily changes such as ageing skin and osteoporosis. A timelapse film encapsulates both the growth of natural materials and their subsequent decay, allowing the audience to connect with nature through both physical objects and digital means. 

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In today’s world, our relationship to the natural world has, sadly, all too often been severed. Therefore, just as I, as the artist, is required to keep pace with nature, working to its fluctuating and unreliable timelines, the viewer is asked to slow down in order to fully appreciate the processes used within my work. 

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My work will appeal to those who enjoy the aesthetics of craft or wishing to connect to nature. I am open to collaborations with like-minded artists or working across disciplines which incorporate and make use of my experience within the creative, teaching or health sector. I am also keen for future exhibiting opportunities.

Resumé

Study

2020 - 2024

 BA (Hons) Craft and Material Practices (First Class Honours)

Arts University Plymouth

Exhibitions

2025

2024

2024

2024

2023

2023

2022

2022

2021

Making It

New Designers

Ephemeral Bodies Graduate Exhibition

Research Poster Exhibition

None of their Beeswax

Skin and Bone

Pathways

Demise

Unmade Bed

MAKE SouthWest, Bovey Tracey, Devon

Business Design Centre, London

Arts University Plymouth

MAKE SouthWest

Mount Edgcumbe House and Gardens

Leadworks

Project Space 1

Project Space 1

Arts University Plymouth

Awards

2025

2025

2024

2024

The QEST Making It Award for Craft Innovation

Commended - Making It 2025 Green Maker Initiative Award

MAKE Southwest Graduate Prize

'One to Watch' Arts University Plymouth

Gallery

Welcome to my gallery, where you will find a selection of my work.
Please hover over the images for a description.

Porcelain ornaments with pink thread - originating from latex and home-grown material (chia)
Porcelain object originating from home-grown root material
Latex and home-grown matter
Organic root vessel grown from wheatgrass & chia
Exhibition at Leadworks - home-grown material (chia) on latex
Exhibition at Leadworks showing both porcelain and home-grown chia and latex
Exhibition at Leadworks - home-grown material (chia) on latex
Latex and home-grown chia
Home-grown wheatgrass root
Porcelain ornaments - originating from latex and home-grown material
Porcelain wreath - originating from latex and home-grown material (chia)
Latex and home-grown wheatgrass growing
Porcelain wreath - originating from latex and home-grown material (chia)
Latex casts with wheatgrass growing
'Unmade Bed' a series of porcelain structures imprinted with crumpled bedsheets
'None of your Beeswax' at Mount Edgcumbe
'None of your Beeswax' at Mount Edgcumbe
 Latex casts and home-grown wheatgrass root
Home-grown wheatgrass root wall hanging
Porcelain objects created from latex and home-grown chia
Home-grown wheatgrass root
'Ephemeral Bodies' Porcelain derived from latex and home-grown chia
'Ephemeral Bodies' Porcelain derived from latex
Home-grown wheatgrass root showing detailing achieved from manipulating roots
'Ephemeral Bodies' Porcelain derived from latex and home-grown chia
'Ephemeral Bodies' Porcelain derived from latex and home-grown chia
'Skin and Bone' - Glass object with a fitted glass triangular pyramid & ballet ribbons
'Skin and Bone' - Glass object with a fitted glass triangular pyramid & ballet ribbons
'Skin and Bone' - Glass object with a fitted glass triangular pyramid & ballet ribbons

'Our great task is to bring man in scale again with the entire horizon of nature, so that he can sense it in all its wealth and promises, harmonies and mysteries.'

Gyorgy Kepes

Contact Me

Please get in touch if you have any queries or would like to discuss my work

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Copyright @ 2024 Lisa McEleny

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