I was challenged to design a box for a secret or a memory. I couldn't really decide which to choose, so started out thinking about designing a box for each. The brief required two boxes, similar, but of different proportions, and in discussion a ritualistic element was suggested. As the task progressed I focused more on designing for the secret. I decided not to disclose the secret, so decided to make the outside of the box plain, a little austere and forbidding, with no hint of the secret. I wanted to add colour and decoration to the inside, and possibly a hint of luxury, by adding something like a cushion, although that would only be visible on opening the box. As we are in lockdown, I would not be adding any actual colour, or completing and firing the pieces. I am also struggling for tools, especially carving tools, that I left at Preston.
In terms of the design, I decided to focus on the element of ritual. I didn't feel that there were any elements of ritual in my daily life, although I suppose habits and routines could be considered here. I was thinking of something a bit more dramatic, and that made me think of church. I am from a roman catholic family, but I have rarely been inside a church since my school days, just weddings, christenings and funerals. My secondary school had a beautiful chapel, but sadly it has been demolished and I cannot find images online. So, I looked back a little further. My grandparents were married at The Holy Name church on Oxford Road in Manchester, my mum and her brothers and sisters were all baptised there. It is also opposite where I went to university. Unable to travel to the church itself due to lockdown, I collected visual reference material from online resources. In addition to the architecture of the church I also looked at the font and pulpit and the altar vessels, from this and other churches.
The architecture of the church has influenced my design, the steps and the elevated nature of the fixtures. The church was designed and built by Joseph Hansom. I was inspired by the bright abstract colours of Kirsty Macrae to provide a very colourful interior for the box. But I also want the colours to be soft, hazy and calm, like a dreamy landscape.
I made a maquette from a solid piece of clay, in an attempt to find a nice shape and proportions. The decoration was not crisp, as I had used crank, and did not have any carving tools at home.
My second attempt was the two slab pots made by cutting around card templates, on the kitchen table, and again the quality is not as good as I would have liked. I considered decorating the forms by adding clay or carving, but decided against it, to present a strong contrast between the plainness of the outside and the colourfulness of the inside.
I liked the secrets theme, and I incorporated a secret chamber in the lid of each box to hide the secret even further.
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