Sculpting Organic Order: The Nature of Ornament

This paper presents academic and practice based research. Exploring the concepts of ornament, pattern, and decoration, it aims to define these terms as they are applied in the research and studio. The role of ornament in Modernism, examples of ornament in nature, and nature inspired ornamental forms throughout history are examined. It considers the marginalized position of craft in relation to fine art, and illustrates the shifting nature of this relationship in the work of artists who use craft mediums. The association of decoration and craft with the feminine and “women’s work” is also explored. The methodology for the artwork involves research that is influenced by a formative undergraduate degree, a reflexive studio practice, conventional scholarly research, observation of natural forms, and adaptation of patterns in nature to consumer objects. The methodology describes the use of both craft materials, such as ceramics and textiles, and fine art materials as an ornate responses to Minimalism. The paper presents a selection of artworks that use this methodology as examples of these responses.