In January 2020 I was a theatre set and costume designer with almost 40 years of experience working in various theatres around the world. I had 2 million sequins being shipped from China to Sweden for a huge backcloth at a 4,000 seat outdoor venue in mid summer. Then lockdown hit. All my future productions were cancelled and international travel suspended.

There was no indication when live performance would resume so I idled at home playing with some of the sequins and wondering if there was something to explore with this new “medium”. I have always been fascinated by what little information the human eye needs to process an image and “Pointillism”and “Op-Art” are favourite art movements of mine. Combining these influences with 21st century digital pixilation were the genesis of MIRRAGE.

Adapting familiar images and icons from various sources and “adding a twist” in the use of different types of surface finishes and the kinetic quality of movement and light are at the forefront of the work. Some of the sequins are two tone and change colour in movement and some are translucent so that they can be layered as in the painterly technique of “glazing”.

From simple beginnings using large 1” sequins and straightforward 2D images the work has been developed into more complex and intricate pieces using tiny 3/8” sequins – all hand mounted. I am currently working on a series of “Old Masters” and contemporary iconography which will be added to the site shortly.

Prices range depending on the size of sequins used and the complexity of the design.

Please get in touch if you are interested in any of the works or you would like to consider a unique commission.

Ellen