I make objects shaped by folklore, ritual, myth and material practice. Working across jewellery, wood carving, sculpture and research, I create contemporary work inspired by the meeting place between the practical, the symbolic and the magical.
I grew up in Formby, on the north-west coast of England, surrounded by pine woods, sand dunes and the natural treasures my mother gathered from the forest and shoreline for use in her own artwork. An early fascination with folklore introduced me to a hidden landscape of customs, stories and mysterious objects, and this has continued to shape both my creative practice and my research.
After studying Silversmithing and Jewellery at the Sir John Cass Institute in London, I established my practice at Cockpit Studios, receiving support from organisations including the Crafts Council and the British Jewellery Association. My work has been exhibited and sold internationally and has ranged from jewellery and sculpture to commissioned pieces and work produced for film. I later completed a Master’s degree with distinction, further developing my interest in the relationship between craftsmanship, research and material culture.
I am based in Hastings and St Leonards, where the folklore, seasonal customs and landscapes of Sussex remain an important source of inspiration. Alongside making, I continue to research traditional arts, archaeology and material culture from Britain and beyond.
I grew up in Formby, on the north-west coast of England, surrounded by pine woods, sand dunes and the natural treasures my mother gathered from the forest and shoreline for use in her own artwork. An early fascination with folklore introduced me to a hidden landscape of customs, stories and mysterious objects, and this has continued to shape both my creative practice and my research.
After studying Silversmithing and Jewellery at the Sir John Cass Institute in London, I established my practice at Cockpit Studios, receiving support from organisations including the Crafts Council and the British Jewellery Association. My work has been exhibited and sold internationally and has ranged from jewellery and sculpture to commissioned pieces and work produced for film. I later completed a Master’s degree with distinction, further developing my interest in the relationship between craftsmanship, research and material culture.
I am based in Hastings and St Leonards, where the folklore, seasonal customs and landscapes of Sussex remain an important source of inspiration. Alongside making, I continue to research traditional arts, archaeology and material culture from Britain and beyond.
All items © Marti Dean. All rights reserved