I am a designer and I am a maker. I am not a storyteller. What I am concerned with is form and function and it’s aesthetics.

From an early age I was interested in how everyday objects were created; how an idea became a design and that design realised into three-dimensional form. At university, I fell in love with the work of the Art Deco movement and Le Corbusier, the architecture of Mies van der Rohe, the Bauhaus and Frank Lloyd Wright and I found much similarity between structural designs of buildings, bridges and jewellery. Here, I subconsciously collected the stimulus that forged the guidelines to instruct and inform my language of design for the future. Thus, the clean lines of manmade structures and natural forms, the delicacies of nature as well as subtle movement within objects are still my origin of inspiration.

Edges and Equilibrium focuses on the spaces where beauty and serenity can be found; the place of balance we seek in our surroundings. Through the harmony of the natural materials and created objects as well as the edges where the varied materials, colours and textures meet and interact, this space can be occupied.

Much of the work in this exhibition has been created outside of my usual boundaries of scale but I’ve still been mindful to maintain a complete handmade process through the raising, forging and fabrication of every metal piece. Each of the hundreds of hammer strikes have stretched and manipulated the metal into tactile forms, which sit well alongside the natural elements to form a complete piece.

Beauty begets happiness. I have always aimed to create pieces of subtle and lasting beauty that will bring some joy to those who view and eventually own my work.

Bowls are fine vessels for collection, storage and safekeeping and can even be symbolic containers of feelings, memories, dreams or prayers.

Through these current pieces you are invited to start your own story.

-Janice Derrick