Joy Holden
the story so far
I graduated in 1984 with a BAhons in 3-Dimensional design, specialising
in ceramic sculpture. After a brief spell working in a commercial ceramics
studio (eeyuch) in south east london, I diversified into screen process
printing, mostly on fabrics, which led me to explore textiles; I made
coats, waistcoats and bags using recycled fabrics in patchwork designs
(or should that be 'fabric mosaics'?). I pursued my interest in recycling
and environmental issues by studying Permaculture, a way of observing
and creating ecosystems based on diversity and multiplicity. It was while
co-designing a garden/play area at a local school that I first dabbled
in tile-based mosaic.
I was struck by the appropriateness of mosaic as a medium to express my
creativity; indeed I see my life up to this point as a mosaic of different
disciplines and experiences, all of which play a part in my design process.
Artist's Statement
I aim to convey the excitement and thrill to be found in the explosion of diversity where edges meet, while still maintaining the calm completeness of the whole.
I choose to frame my work within the bounds of functionality, wherein exist the conceptual edges between aesthetics and utility, mankind and nature.
