Current Projects
Athena
Florence Nightingale's Little Owl
Patinated Bronze, 24 carat gold eyes. 2023
The commissioning couple writes:
“We commissioned Sophie to produce a sculpture, and then arrange the casting in bronze of a very special owl: Athena, Florence Nightingale‘s pet owl. This little owl has huge meaning for us. It was very easy to work with Sophie, we gave her free rein on the artistic design, but she kept us in touch with the progress she was making and to check what we wanted. She has just delivered us the final sculpture; it is wonderful. She has brought Athena back to life!”
“As an addition, we asked Sophie to write an “artist journal“ recording the twists and turns in the creation of the sculpture. This is very personal and full of detail; we will treasure that as well.”
Florence Nightingale's Little Owl
Patinated Bronze, 24 carat gold eyes. 2023
The commissioning couple writes:
“We commissioned Sophie to produce a sculpture, and then arrange the casting in bronze of a very special owl: Athena, Florence Nightingale‘s pet owl. This little owl has huge meaning for us. It was very easy to work with Sophie, we gave her free rein on the artistic design, but she kept us in touch with the progress she was making and to check what we wanted. She has just delivered us the final sculpture; it is wonderful. She has brought Athena back to life!”
“As an addition, we asked Sophie to write an “artist journal“ recording the twists and turns in the creation of the sculpture. This is very personal and full of detail; we will treasure that as well.”
Artist in Residence
On the first day of Spring, 2022, Sophie took up an Arts Residency at the Gilbert White House and Gardens, in Selborne, Hampshire. #JuBEElee was a creative workshop for schoolchildren. Other projects are helping raise awareness of the importance of conservation, working alongside craftspeople, and offering creative workshops, along with regular journalling and sketching. Sophie is creating lasting legacies including two benches using fallen cedar boughs from a vast Cedar of Lebanon (one bench inspired by children's drawings, the other by adults attending a creative workshop). She is making inks using oak galls, acorn cups and copper, creating eco-prints with autumn leaves, designing unique Nature Journals, cyanotype artworks, small 'found objects', treen objects from fallen timber, and collaged images. All of these will be exhibited at the Final Show in 2024. Please contact the artist if you would like to attend the Private View.
On the first day of Spring, 2022, Sophie took up an Arts Residency at the Gilbert White House and Gardens, in Selborne, Hampshire. #JuBEElee was a creative workshop for schoolchildren. Other projects are helping raise awareness of the importance of conservation, working alongside craftspeople, and offering creative workshops, along with regular journalling and sketching. Sophie is creating lasting legacies including two benches using fallen cedar boughs from a vast Cedar of Lebanon (one bench inspired by children's drawings, the other by adults attending a creative workshop). She is making inks using oak galls, acorn cups and copper, creating eco-prints with autumn leaves, designing unique Nature Journals, cyanotype artworks, small 'found objects', treen objects from fallen timber, and collaged images. All of these will be exhibited at the Final Show in 2024. Please contact the artist if you would like to attend the Private View.
All The Saints
A Covid Memorial for All Saints' Church, Child's Hill, North London.
During WW2, the East Windows of this church were destroyed during a bombing raid, and the voids bricked up. For this community-inspired project, Sophie has created five designs celebrating and commemorating the community response to the Covid Pandemic. (Another, smaller, light is on the south elevation). These are produced in opaque glass. The designs have now moved to the production stage. The final artworks will be dedicated by the Bishop of London at the 70th Anniversary of the Re-Dedication of the church, November 6th 2022. Read the Diocesan Press Release here: bishop-of-london-visits-all-saints-church-in-childs-hill-to-view-its-new-covid-19-memorial-artwork
A Covid Memorial for All Saints' Church, Child's Hill, North London.
During WW2, the East Windows of this church were destroyed during a bombing raid, and the voids bricked up. For this community-inspired project, Sophie has created five designs celebrating and commemorating the community response to the Covid Pandemic. (Another, smaller, light is on the south elevation). These are produced in opaque glass. The designs have now moved to the production stage. The final artworks will be dedicated by the Bishop of London at the 70th Anniversary of the Re-Dedication of the church, November 6th 2022. Read the Diocesan Press Release here: bishop-of-london-visits-all-saints-church-in-childs-hill-to-view-its-new-covid-19-memorial-artwork
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St Mary's Church, Alderbury, October 2021 onwards..
A new, fixed, all-seasons frontal for the High Altar. The artwork was printed onto heavy silk by R A Smarts, and layered with added textures into a completed design. The fabrication was done by Anna Diamond, and the frontal was dedicated and blessed by the Bishop of Ramsbury in May 2022. Two stoles were also designed by Sophie and fabricated by J&M Sewing. |
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High Security Women's Prison, February 2022 onwards
An exciting proposal to re-order a multi-faith space with 16 windows, working with the residents to create the designs, based on 'the Healing Garden'. Also a new, interactive sculpture in limewood to enable the residents to express and acknowledge loss . Two National Charities and private donors have generously funded the cost for this ambitious and worthwhile project. The windows have been produced by Proto Studios, and the carving by Alex Jones. |
An example of one of the designs for these windows. All the shapes were created by the residents during a series of workshops, run by Sophie exploring their emotional landscape and memories of gardens and nature. The 16 new windows were fabricated by Proto Glass Studios, and were installed in November 2022.
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Bronze Processional Cross for Winchester Cathedral. In memory of Dean James Atwell, this cross takes its inspiration from Dean James's life as a farmer. Sophie 'gleaned' some wheat from a local farm (with permission!) and created the design from the sheaves gathered there. The Cross was cast at Talos Foundry. The staff and finials were carved by Alex Jones. It was dedicated on May 1, 2022.
Recently, Sophie gilded the cross in 24 carat gold leaf. |
Teaching and Speaking engagements 2022-3
A Creative Retreat will be held at The Royal Foundation St Katherine in May 2023, called Creation and Creativity. Please contact the Retreat Centre for bookings.
Sophie will be speaking at the Annual Meeting of the Nightingale Nurses Foundation, St Thomas's Hospital, May 2023.
In July and August, Sophie will be running three creative days at The Gilbert White House and Gardens
In 2022, Sophie spoke at the National Vergers' Conference, Malvern.
A Creative Retreat will be held at The Royal Foundation St Katherine in May 2023, called Creation and Creativity. Please contact the Retreat Centre for bookings.
Sophie will be speaking at the Annual Meeting of the Nightingale Nurses Foundation, St Thomas's Hospital, May 2023.
In July and August, Sophie will be running three creative days at The Gilbert White House and Gardens
In 2022, Sophie spoke at the National Vergers' Conference, Malvern.