Seaweed Designs Made In Scotland

Aim

I transform seaweed using recycled copper, silver, graphite and paint to create unusual and inspiring artworks, jewellery and sculptures.

Why Seaweed?

We all know the planet is running out of resources so it’s natural to feel worried about everything we buy - how was it sourced, how was it produced, has it travelled round the world to get here or is it wasting precious resources. My aim is to show that living with less need not mean living without. 

In Scotland there’s one resource that we are not running out of - seaweed! 

What I Do

For my recent Masters in Fine Art at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design in Dundee, I used washed up seaweed to make woven wall hangings, wearable sculptures, cyanotypes, ceramics and even paper! 

Seaweed is an amazing and fascinating material, neither plant nor animal, which protects our coastline, provides a home for marine life and is a massive carbon sink.  Its extraordinary qualities, shapes, textures and varieties are inspiring. 

I collect it from the shoreline, dry it, shape it and seal it before covering it in black graphite, paint, recycled copper or silver to make unique pieces and striking artworks. I love how copper has a life of its own, like seaweed, responding to atmosphere and continuing to change colour and tone.  My products are a cross between jewellery and sculpture. They can decorate your home or to add a wow factor to an outfit.  My business is called Tang which is an old Scots word for seaweed.

Going Large

My ambition is make larger decorative pieces for interiors, domestic and commercial such as hotel spas. And next I am learning bronze casting so I can make outdoor sculptures which would put seaweed in the spotlight on clifftops and coastal paths. You can imagine how amazing they would look!

Next Steps

Not many people are working with seaweed like this so my work is attracting lots of interest. Since graduating last September, it's been a rollercoaster. I have been to London for specialist training in electroforming. I came runner-up in the Venture Challenge, winning a prize to develop a brand for Tang and a website - coming soon! 

And now I am part of the Creative Scotland Crowdmatch. Tang was selected as one of 20 shortlisted creative projects in Scotland that could win a share of £80,000 in match funding, up to £10,000 per project.  

The money would be used for renting and setting up a studio/workshop in my village. I will have to equip it with a range of specialist tools from workbenches, metal rollers, hammers, needle files, magnifying lamp, sand casting moulds, third hand, PPE  not to mention materials for preparing and finishing the seaweed.

All I need is at least 30 people to chip in and Creative Scotland will match the funds. The first milestone of £1000 has been passed! Thank You! 

Now the race is on to reach the next milestone - another £500 will take the total to £3500 which would lead to a further £1500 from Creative Scotland. The sooner I get there the better as there are 20 of us competing for the cash. So please share the story with friends who care about the coast or just enjoy being beside the sea.

What's in it For You?

Everyone who supports me can opt either to simply donate or to receive a special Reward - seaweed themed of course!  The Reward options include a set of printed cards of different seaweeds, seaweed sculptures of various sizes and types, limited edition prints or a personal commissioned sculpture of your choice. Each Reward has a date by when you will receive it. 

And you can sleep easy knowing each piece of Tang has been locally, responsibly and sustainably sourced with a low carbon footprint and is a step towards the emerging zero-waste, post COP26 circular economy.

Even better, not only do I pick up rubbish from the beaches that I visit, for every piece I sell, I will donate a percentage of the profit to the campaign group Save Scottish Seas.

Thank you.

This project successfully funded on 12th April 2022