Boudicca Lamp

The sculpture at Art Fair East, showcasing the mirror reflections in the glass and the broken necklace along with glimpses of pink pom poms and black marabou feathers and a/b crystal droplets

Perfection can’t be rushed…

This is the story of a lockdown legend. Boudicca Lamp is bold, glam, and utterly unforgettable - a warrior queen reimagined in mirror and marabou. She lived in my imagination for five years before finally emerging during lockdown. From a hand-cast torso to a couture lampshade, every detail was built with intention, flair, and just the right amount of irreverence. She sold at my first ever exhibition, and although it nearly broke my heart to let her go, she now holds court in a beautiful Norfolk home, lit from within and loved as she should be.

A side shot showing the sculpted torso being sliced down the side using a Dremel tool, front of the cast is laying on a table trying. A second bust is seen drying on the ground

Her form began with a wrapped cast taken from a beloved display bust - enhanced with an old bra to create fuller curves. I layered modroc bandages over cling film, building up the shape in sections. Once dry, I cut her open with a Dremel, then resealed and reinforced the sculpture with more plaster. Her surface was sanded, smoothed, and prepped for the glimmering transformation to come.

Close-up showing shards of mirror being glued to the bust, with tools and broken glass nearby.

This is where the fun really began. I cut shards of mirror glass and carefully mosaicked her surface, piece by piece, embracing irregularity and rhythm. Her grout faded gradually from a deep charcoal at the base to a soft light grey around the neckline - a subtle gradient to enhance her contours. The inner surface was sealed with archival varnish for durability. She was already breathtaking, but her true flamboyance still waited in the wings.

Grouting Boudicca was a dusty, gritty job - but also deeply satisfying. Every shard was hand-placed, and the moment the grout hit, she started to transform. This is me mid-way through, masked up and marvelling at how she was already beginning to glow beneath the mess.

Here she is, just after grouting, before the final wipe down revealed the brilliance underneath. A buxom beauty ready to shine.

A close-up of the zebra fabric and hand-stitching along the lampshade’s top edge.

I knew her lampshade needed to match her energy. I stitched panels of Italian wool eyelash zebra print into a fitted cover, slipping it over the frame like a bespoke gown. Hand-stitched black binding refined the edges, while pink pom-pom fringe, black marabou trim, and AB crystal droplets brought drama and light play.

The sculpture illuminated in a dark room, casting shimmering light through her mirrored torso and fabric shade.

When she was lit for the first time, the effect was magical - reflections danced across the room, and Boudicca truly came to life. Her silhouette was striking but something was still missing.

Final bust sculpture adorned with mirror glass, black beaded necklace and flamboyant zebra pint lampshade, this is a black and white photograph so the pompoms look black in the shot. Crystal droplets hang from the bottom of the shade.

Enter the finishing touch: a broken multi-strand beaded necklace repurposed as jewellery. Draped across her mirrored bust, it added just the right amount of attitude.

She now lives in a dedicated alcove in Norfolk, proudly displayed and utterly adored. I couldn’t have asked for a better home for her - one where her fierce femininity and unapologetic glamour can shine.

• Title: Boudicca Lamp

• Medium: Modroc, mirror mosaic, grout, fabric, crystal, beads

• Size:

• Year: 2023

• Lamp fittings included (fully wired and functional)

• Signed by the artist and includes a certificate of authenticity

• The artist retains the copyright of the piece

• Varnished internally to protect against moisture

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