Mother of Pearl is a series of furniture pieces which have been encrusted with seashells and other found objects, created slowly and quietly during my son’s nap times. The shells, beach glass, and pearls link the pieces to the element of water and the feminine. This work invites the viewer to step into a glittering material work, and at the same time the unseen, mysterious spirit world, providing subtle nurturing and care; a place to mourn and connect with spirits; where you are encouraged to open your heart and find your intuition.

The process of bedazzling these objects was influenced by my grandmother, who collected and collaged with costume jewellery, and other glittery knick-knacks. As I was creating these pieces, I felt like my hands were my grandmother’s hands; placing and laying down each shell or pearl, I began to think of the vanity as a meeting place, an access point, or a lighted home where we could meet and remember across generations. The three rocking chairs belong to various stages of femininity: life, motherhood, death, and the liminal.

These pieces are my first work as an emerging installation artist after a decade of non-objective painting. During that time, I discovered a mindset of open-heartedness and surrender in I which produced my most authentic work. Years later, training as a medium, I realized that that same mindset was required to grow one’s intuition and connection with the spirit world. With Mother of Pearl, I hope to create a space where viewers can experience those same feelings of surrender, open-heartedness, and the numinous.

Mother of Pearl will be showing in a group show titled “Cloister” at the Agnes Jamison Gallery in 2027 in Minden Ontario Canada. More details coming soon!