Featured Commissions
‘There’s a buzz about the place’
Manchester Metropolitan University
Plates commissioned for the installation of the Vice Chancellor of MMU. The piece represents the relationship between MMU and the city of Manchester. Worker bees buzz across the vintage plates with rich gold leaves intertwining in multiple layers of decoration.
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This plate was presented to the Vice Chancellor from representatives of the city, and a second plate will be given to the city to be displayed at the Manchester Town Hall.
The last Vice Chancellor said that ‘there’s a buzz about the place’ when he worked at the university and reading through ‘Many Arts Many Skills’ (a book on the history of, and also the motto of MMU), that became the title for the pieces!
Private commission, London
‘This commission was for a private client, for a large hallway that reaches 4 levels. There is a decorative banister throughout, which works beautifully with the rich gold decoration on the lights.’
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‘As the ceilings are so high, it was important to use the largest size of light - 35cm - to add impact and give the most light possible.
Fluorescent square lights were there before, and created a feeling of stark, exposing light. The addition of the new lights, diffusing the light through the bone china, creates a warmth, it adds intimacy to a large space and makes it feel more homely. The gold reflects the surrounding space and adds sparkle to the warmly glowing space. The clients plans for development are for one wall to be decorated in gold to add further warmth and richness to the hallway, emphasising the rich gold decoration on the surface of the china.
The decoration is a combination of leaf pattern and roses, with some having additional pierced decoration adding to the layers of interest. I thoroughly enjoyed this commission as I was given freedom to explore the pattern on the lights, also to view the pieces installed and meet the family who would be seeing them on a daily basis!’
Andor Technology
‘I completed a commission for Andor Technology, Belfast, Northern Ireland, in 2005, where I installed 62 large wall lights (using colour changing LEDs as their light source) in their new corporate headquarters.’
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‘The piece was designed in response to the building (view the building); its uses and the people who work there. There are references to the company’s origins in lasers and star research, and I had consultation sessions with the MD, leading to hidden star constellations within the piece, as well as some pieces having star constellations pierced directly into the surface. The aim was to have a stunning visual impact as an employee or visitor entered the building, but to have further depth and layers to the piece the more the viewer discovered about the piece. This layering and depth of understanding leads to the creation of a relationship between the employees and the piece, they feel a sense of ownership and understanding the more they discover about the piece, and it creates a sense of corporate identity. It tells the story of the company through form, detail and light rather than words. Viewers can read their own meanings and messages, discovering both intended and unintentional messages.
The LED components and control system were designed by Bruce Watson of Andor Technology. This highly complicated system allows the piece to have subtle movement of light across the wall, creating warmth on cold winter days with oranges and reds, and a coolness in the summer with blue light passing through.
A great project to work on, I had fantastic support from the architects on the project, and incredible dedication from the staff I worked with at Andor, after hours and weekends were given up to help me on my installation!’
Manchester Art Gallery
‘This commission was initiated through my involvement with the Arts Council of England and led to a series of lighting pieces specifically designed and made for the Gallery restaurant and café.’
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‘The gallery was undergoing a huge, three year refurbishment and this was part of the ending process. Working with the architects and specifiers, I installed a series of ‘collapsed’ pieces in the screen that divides the restaurant space from the serving area. These are back lit with fibre optics, on a colour wheel going through the spectrum.
Wall pieces were made to fit the spaces between windows so that when the shutters are closed there is a focal point on the large expansive walls. There is delicate piercing on these wall pieces which becomes visible when the viewer approaches the work. The stacking lights in the café are reminiscent of the bowls and cups stored under the counter, and again, add a focal point to the large expansive wall space behind the café bar. They are positioned on a large, curved glass shelf which allows them to seemingly ‘float’ in space.
The overall effect is that of a subtle warmth, cosiness, given to a space which seemed large and somewhat sterile before. A series of meetings determined the content of the commission, but it was a great project to work on as I was given all of the creative control within the development of the pieces, staff were very supportive and helpful with installation and care.’
Other Past Commissions
‘Babylon AD’ lights
2007
Lights for film set; Film will star Vin Diesel.
Store decoration
Green Earth Flowers, Poynton, UK
Jan – Feb 2007
Using the leaf pattern, adding subtle decoration in the florist boutique, both on internal and external walls.
Solas Gold wall lights
Private Client, London, UK
A set of wall lights using a large gold leaf pattern for a living space across 2 alcoves on a heavily patterned wallpaper.
Solas Gold wall lights
Private Client, Manchester, UK
A pair of wall lights using a bespoke pattern based on star constellations and quotations for living space.
Indulge Restaurant, Norwich
August 2006
With architects Satmoko Ball.
Solas GoldLeaf wall lights
Sushico Pera restaurant, Istanbul, Turkey
May 2006
Client: Zeynep Sayin, Interior Designer, Istanbul, Turkey
A large group of wall lights in pierced and plain versions, using a large leaf transfer pattern in gold.
Solas Gold Leaf wall lights
Orla O’Brien Interiors, London, UK
February 2006
This commission was for two groups of wall lights using a large leaf transfer pattern in gold.
Installation
Private Client, Russell Square, London
February 2005
Working with the architects and responding to the house, which is entirely white, I designed a series of ceiling lights.
Wall lights
Westfield Interiors, UK
January 2005
This commission was for a set of wall lights using the fine leaf transfer pattern in gold.
Floral bowls
Private Client, USA
January 2004
This commission was for a set of floral bowls, which connect visually as a set dependent on arrangement.
Wall lights
Private Client, UK
December 2003
This commission was for a set of wall lights laser marked with the word ‘solas’ meaning light in Gaeilge.
Commissioning Cj
Cj finds working to commission a challenging, exciting and satisfying process.
‘To be given a brief, or shown a space to react to is the best part of what I do – coming up with a concept which exceeds a clients expectations, developing those ideas and seeing their reaction on installation or completion is the most exhilarating feeling! It is this process of development and changing of my work to adapt to different environments, and working with different types of people, that I enjoy most.’
If you are interested in commissioning Cj, the best thing to do is get in touch by email. Outline the idea, project or space that you have, giving an indication of timescale and budget and she will respond to you as soon as possible.
