Jitterbugs by Sally Marsden
Found, forgotten and discarded objects are at the heart of Sally Marsden’s work. A collector from childhood, Sally has long been fascinated by the potential of unusual objects and materials, an interest that now finds expression in her playful and distinctive Jitterbugs.
Sally studied 3D Design Ceramics at Wolverhampton Polytechnic in the early 1980s, creating large Raku and pit-fired porcelain vessels. Working in ceramics gave her a strong understanding of form, proportion and balance. After graduation, she ran her own studio and gallery alongside teaching, before family life led her to move away from ceramics and explore new ways of making.
Collecting once again became central to her creative practice. Driftwood, buttons, beads, wire and old tools were transformed into mirrors, boats, insects and other pieces. Although Sally’s work has evolved over the years, her desire to reclaim and give new purpose to vintage materials has remained constant.
Her Jitterbugs are now created from antique and discarded metal objects, including jelly moulds, tobacco and liquorice tins, cutlery and other quirky finds. Sally cleans and polishes each component without removing the character and patina it has acquired over time, then uses bolts, fixings and occasionally soldering to construct her individual characters.
The result is a collection of humorous, characterful sculptures that give overlooked objects an unexpected new life.
