Jan Alison Edwards

As an eco sustainable artist I try to use only natural materials to communicate issues surrounding our polarised relationship with the natural world.

Having studied Fine Art Ceramics followed by traditional Japanese paper making with a Master

Washi  papermaker in France and being experimental by nature,  when searching for a way to

visually communicate  mankind`s connection to all life on earth “The Pond”  became my focus. The

Pond which represents the “Primordial Soup”,  it was  obvious  to me that I should make paper with

pond  plants and debris. This “Paper ”  in pulp form  I use by multiple dipping branches and sticks in

creating unexpected often mysterious   emerging creatures,  some creeping some crawling some

flying.

Regarding the connection to ceramics, items dipped in clay slip have a visually similar appearance

and sense of otherworldlyness,  whist still  revealing  traces of the original natural material. Natural

branches plants even dead dehydrated creatures bettles birds and even mushrooms  ( found whilst

living in the intense summer  heat of the South of  France ) can be dipped in the clay slip then  fired

which adds a significant  reduction and shrinkage of the original, but with the same aura  intensified

by the shrinkage revealing tiny details. But for a sustainable artist uses too much energy in the  firing

process, and creating  pollution from the burnt out materials  thus the use of plant paper is far more

sustainable and relevant to my work.

 

Materialism is also important to my process and work practice, carefully choosing plant matter for

its cultural symbolism or historical relevance. Respecting  the materials origins and characteristics in

the process of making and final presentation.

Emerging is an  ongoing series which includes installations sculptures, relief prints,  and artist books.