Portfolio

Explore Shannon’s artistic practice. On this page you will encounter pieces of Shannon’s art works, current and past with the statements behind each piece. When new works have been exhibited they will feature here.

The Sea O How I Love Thee

Brooch, silver, found plastic, shell and sapphire

Inspired by ocean conservationists, I am raising my voice through my work. A brooch and companion poem to ignite the conversation about how we treat our oceans and the need for change. Seaweed made from precious metal wraps around the lid from a Topps sweet, found discarded amongst the shingle with no thought of consequence. Set behind a perfect shell with a hidden sapphire which represents the value of our oceans that we do not see and the damage that we are doing to it. Without our oceans we will not exist. During lockdown we saw some recovering in nature, let’s do all that we can to improve our impact and protect it.

Embrace

Necklace, Drift wood, silver and peat

The call of the ocean and the smell of a peat fire instantly transports me home. Where I grew up will always be my home perched on the cliff above Carnalea Bay, the peat stove burning in the hallway, my favourite wooden chair warming beside it. This is home, alas it is no longer our home. Sitting in the abandoned boat house looking out to the bay that our home overlooked is as close as I get to home now. I feel at peace, my mind at ease. This is home.

Drift wood resting on my neck, just like the comfort of my favourite chair. A piece of peat ready to fuel the stove. Darkened, rippled silver mirrors the waves lapping the bay.

Wet Sand

Necklace, Found ceramic, sterling silver and liver of sulphur

“As I stand in the bay, the sound of the lapping waves, the smell of the ocean, I feel a sense of peace, washed with stillness. Memories come flooding back, a happy childhood growing up above the bay. There are other memories, reminiscent of stormy seas. Lost connections, lost loved ones. I inhale, stillness.”

Wet Sand is from a body of work that explores the ritual of collecting and sentimental attachments. The piece starts with the found object, a piece of ceramic found in Carnalea Bay that would have been from a utility jar with Liverpool on the base. The vessel acts as a locket would to protect the found piece. Treasuring your memories and connection to the piece.

These works become conversational/storytelling pieces when worn. The wearer can choose to tell the story behind it, passing along their memories or to keep it all protected in the vessel.

Originally this piece was part of my graduate show in 2011. Since then it has been on exhibition in ‘In the House/Out of the House’ Castle Ward and on display in Space CRAFT Gallery. it is now part of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland’s permanent collection

Gone

Necklace, Sterling silver and carved peat

Gone was created to confront us with the realisation that climate change is a real threat to our future. The overall confronting darkness of the piece suggests a bleak path, creating a sense of loss. However, when we look inside the protecting pouch, the brightness of the silver brings rays of hope. The piece of peat signifies my home and my need to protect it. By placing the peat inside the pouch it is protected. When left out for all to see, it is exposed to potential harm.

TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION

The silver vessel was hand forged, polished by hand and oxidised. The chain was hand twisted around a mandrel, fabricated, oxidised and hand polished. The peat was carved into the silhouette of a diamond by hand. The silver link was fabricated from wire and attached by drilling a hole in the peat.

SOURCE OF INSPIRATION

I am naturally very concerned about climate change and how it will affect the future of the planet. I read recently an article about the US Military reporting that they believed that climate change is the biggest threat to national security. This report is a realistic reality that we all need to face up to. We need to act now to protect our planet and our homes. The article inspired my piece. This is the link to it. http://www.occupycorporatism.com/home/us-military-thinks-climate-change-national-security-threat/ The image that I have sent with my submission is the image from the article.

Drink To Your Health

Brooch, Found plastic, sea glass, silver and steel

With our oceans full of our debris how does it not only effect the ocean’s health but also our own?

During the spring of 2014 I interned for Tanel Veenre in Tallinn, Estonia. It was a fantastic experience where I learnt a lot from Tanel. During my free time at the weekends I would have wondered the medieval streets of the Old Town and explored the sea front were I clambered about the all but abandoned olympic stadium Linnahall. It was built in 1980 when Moscow hosted the summer Olympic sailing events. The structure was commissioned by the Soviet Union in part to show the world their mastery over concrete-pouring. The hurried construction of the building has shown over the past 30 years as the poorly finished rock crumbles, something I very much noticed along with a lot of graffiti. The arena is still used from time to time when a large enough event comes to town but generally sits unused. When I was exploring the structure I managed to climb down to a little shore area. It was strewn with broken chunks of concrete, drinks cans, glass and plastic bottles. It appeared sadly to have been neglected, which was surprising as the city was well maintained.

I did find a few pieces of domestic ceramics and glass that had been smoothed by the sea. I collected these and from it came this brooch. For me it is a comment not only about looking after ourselves internally but also nature. Both go hand in hand to ensure good health for both.

Go Home

Brooch, Sterling silver, found ceramic and oxide

‘Go Home' a brooch that comes from continuing my original body of work that explores the ritual of collecting and sentimental attachments.

The process starts with the found object, a piece of ceramic or glass that has washed up upon the shore. A vessel that is forged from flat silver sheet that acts as a locket to protect the found piece is made over several hours. A setting made from silver is then fabricated alongside decisions about the best way of attaching the two. I use chains that I fabricate myself, some that are pre-fabricated and also textiles like silks, cottons and leathers. I intergrate the textiles as a nod to the home where the found objects used to dwell.

These works become conversational/storytelling pieces when worn. The concept is that the found objects are pieces of treasure that have been found whist enjoying your time at the beach. Treasuring your memories of the day or of what the pieces reminds you of, quite often grandma’s crockery. A fond connection is formed with treasures. When worn in its new form the wearer can choose to tell the story behind it, passing along their memories or to keep it all protected in the vessel.

If you would like to learn more or to enquire about purchasing a portfolio piece please contact Shannon.

You can also commission similar pieces with your own objects or from Shannon’s treasure trove. Have a look at the Bespoke Commissions to see some of the pieces that clients have asked Shannon to make.