Created for Collect 2025, ‘Sea of Stories’ is a wall panel which invites closer attention, filled with the mysteries and stories of the oceans - or what we choose to see within it. 

Typical of Gegenwart's work,  the piece explores the themes of rhythms and water - recurring motifs within her work - with her unique treatment of the copper giving it a particular tone, depth and interest.  

Additional complexity is added to the work by the choice of a white mount - drawing out the reflections of the lattice work to give the piece a 3 dimensional quality and provoke a tactile, as well as a visual, exploration of the work. 

For the close observer, words are etched within the panel to emphasise the language of the piece, the darkness of the work countered by the light enamel details. 

The colour of the mounting board can be changed to create different effects and interpretations of the work.

Inspired by William Blake's poem ‘Indra’s Net’ this beautiful sculpture created by Beate Gegenwart for Collect 2025, encapsulates signature motifs within her work - movement and fluidity. In this piece she evokes the intricate rhythms of water - the sparkling currents and ever changing movement of the sea - observed as she walks near her home in Gower. Mounted here on red, the sculpture can be backed with different colours as shown below, drawing out different motifs within the work and our response to it.

Picking up the soft golden, creamy hues of natural linen this beautiful piece by Suzanna James is a response to the words of Louise Bourgeois: 'The Needle is Used to Repair Damage'. 

James' work is infused with an appreciation of the healing power of textiles - a recurring theme within her textile art which explores the capacity of a needle to repair specific damage to a piece of cloth or the communities in which the piece is made. 

In this hand dyed and embroidered piece, James interprets our curatorial theme for Collect 2025 by touching on deeper themes within our curation - the influence and impact of our industrial heritage on our landscape and communities and how the 'damage' can be redeemed through the hope that the needle and craft create. 

'In Response….' is one of a developing series of work by Suzanna James which can be commissioned by enquiring below.