Polymer clay
One of a kind artwork
Size: 28 x 28 x 3cm (framed)
Framed and ready to hang
Signed on the front
Style: Organic
Subject: Shells, pebbles, ammonites
Inspired by childhood memories of the South Coast of England, Coastal Riches reflects a lifelong fascination with the treasures left behind by the tide. Growing up, days spent sailing and windsurfing with my father were often followed by hours of beachcombing, collecting shells, pebbles and other shoreline finds shaped by the sea and time.
For this artwork, I created moulds from individual shells, pebbles and ammonites, casting each form in hand-marbled polymer clay. Layers of warm ivory, sand and stone tones flow through the surface of every piece, while delicate fragments of gold leaf are woven throughout the marbling, evoking hidden mineral seams, sunlight on water and the precious beauty concealed within nature's smallest discoveries.
Each element is individually cured and mounted on a tiny plinth, allowing light and shadow to move beneath the forms. The subtle translucency of the clay creates depth and luminosity, bringing the collection to life as the light changes throughout the day.
Arranged as a carefully balanced gathering of coastal treasures, Coastal Riches celebrates the beauty of collecting, the memory of place and the quiet luxury found in the natural world. Through texture, repetition and luminous detail, the work invites closer observation and offers a contemporary interpretation of the treasures that generations of beachcombers have carried home from the shore.
