Catriona Donald
she/they
Leeds, United Kingdom
Catriona Donald is a Scottish artist and traditionally trained goldsmith currently living and working in Leeds. Her current work explores the intersection of queer ecologies, ecofeminism and craft. It questions human domination over the natural world; our growing dependance on precious metals and rare earth-elements; and the role of the artist during climate collapse. Working in natural found materials, she creates wearable adornments and objects reminiscent of Neolithic and bronze age archeological artefacts which evoke an ancient and innate intimacy between nature and the body.
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“My artwork explores the profound and sensual relationship between nature, material and the body. I do so through the perspective of love, care and interconnectedness. My wearable pieces embody a conscious choice - materiality centering the symbiosis of the living world, ecosystems and landscapes. Working with a wide range of found and foraged materials, I aim to question what is precious and what holds inherent value. My work is an interrogation of our damaging reliance and abuse of the delicate structures that nurture us.”
How does your work relate to the theme transformation— How does the work translate joy into strength?
"Lion’s Teeth’ is a piece of wearable art baring the motif of a dandelion in its different phases of metamorphosis. Each stage of the dandelion’s lifecycle transforms it into an almost unrecognisable version of itself. It is in constant transition. The dandelion in its flowering stage - a vibrant yellow orb - bends and nods towards to sun during the day and closes in on itself in the darkness. Although every part of the dandelion is edible and has been used in herbalism and mystic practices for generations, it is widely regarded as an invasive weed. The dandelion is destroyed by poisons and chemical weed killer in preference of homogenous, manicured lawns. It is in a constant battle between growth and eradication. It is fighting to live, grow and be seen. The human aim to control its spread is futile - a Sisyphean practice. The dandelion is resilient and resistant and will almost always grow back, even in the harshest conditions, through cracks in bricks and out of the side of walls.
Dandelion - dents de lion - lion’s teeth. The plant with the joy of the sun and the strength of the lion that will continue to transform, grown and shine brightly against the odds."
"Lion’s Teeth", Bronze, dandelion stem cordage, 9.4" x 6.7", 2024Anything else you would like to share about this work?
This can be an important part of the process, sourcing materials, or research.
"The bronze medallion is hung from a foraged , hand-weaved, dandelion stem cord."
