Droplets
NZ Sculpture on Shore, 2023
Highlighting the plastic pandemic through the redefinition of plastic waste, Droplets is a collaborative light-based installation for City of Colour showcasing the potential of used plastic as a material for making art. The Droplets are designed to evoke wonder and appreciation for our planet’s precious ecosystems and our humble place within them.
Made from hundreds of hand cut single-use water bottles constructed into forms evocative of our planet’s threatened biodiversity, the Droplets become vessels for new ways of thinking. Droplets serves as a stark reminder of the impact our waste has on the planet and its inhabitants, and hopes to inspire viewers to rethink their own consumption.
The form of the sculptures references the past life of the materials, as carriers of vital fluid. It is the shape of tears of sorrow and anger shed for the wildlife and ecosystems devastated by plastic pollution. Yet, it is also a symbol of renewal. Just as rainwater vitalizes the earth and brings forth new life, Droplets hopes to nourish and grow spaces of connection to our living earth and spark conversations about what we can preserve if we act thoughtfully.
Fernware, 2022
Easel Gallery Influenced by the principles of biophilic design, Fernware is a way of inviting the outside in. Reminiscent of fossils, Fernware speaks of a specific time and place – each piece carefully crafted and impressed with real fern leaves, hand picked from our local environment. Through impressing the clay with leaves gathered from places I walk, each piece becomes a physical connection between nature and table. Fernware aims to enhance the daily rituals of eating and drinking by putting you in touch with nature and helping you get your daily dose of ‘green’. Through linking the actions of growth and consumption, Fernware serves as a reminder of the vital role plants play in our wellbeing and encourages reflection on the ways we choose to consume. Fernware is a showcase of original handmade tableware designs by Lara Thomas. Functional works of art, made to be used, with the intention of elevating the everyday and bringing a little extra to the ordinary. |