Girls Can't Skate Skate Jam project
These traditional photo collages were created as part of my second-year project, which centred around a girls-only skate event titled "Girls Can't Skate". Drawing inspiration from skate culture, I aimed to visually represent the energy, empowerment and creativity that skateboarding embodies, particularly for women in a traditionally male-dominated space.
Each collage was crafted by hand, combining a range of printed images, scrap materials and my original drawings to form dynamic and layered compositions. I carefully selected elements that conveyed the spirit of the event and skate culture, such as photographs of skaters, textured materials and illustrative details that reflect the raw, rebellious and artistic nature of skateboarding.
Working with physical materials allowed me to explore tactile textures and intricate layering techniques, which added depth and authenticity to the final pieces. The collages not only served as a visual exploration of the theme but also as a means to celebrate the women who are breaking barriers in the world of skateboarding.
This project was a deeply personal and creative exploration of the intersection between skate culture, feminism and self-expression.
Spirits that inhabit the land, sea and sky project
During the first semester at university, we were tasked with creating a collage based on a range of themes. I chose the theme "Spirits that Inhabit the Land, Sea and Sky" to explore the ethereal connection between nature and the unseen forces that shape the world around us. My approach combined traditional collage techniques with innovative use of materials, allowing me to create a dynamic and layered composition that conveyed the essence of these elemental spirits.
To achieve a unique visual outcome, I utilised acetone to transfer printed images, particularly butterflies, onto the collage surface. This technique enabled me to manipulate the composition in a fluid and organic way. By applying acetone to different sections of the collage, I could move and adjust the placement of the butterfly prints, creating varying degrees of translucency and texture. This not only added depth but also allowed me to explore different visual effects, leading to a more harmonious and visually compelling piece.
The butterflies, symbolising transformation and the connection between the earthly and spiritual realms were carefully layered and integrated into the collage, enhancing the thematic exploration of the spirits that inhabit the land, sea and sky. Through this experimental process, I was able to push the boundaries of conventional collage-making, resulting in a final composition that felt both ethereal and grounded in nature.
