‘A Study in Black and Gold #1’ features scrambling blackberry (Rubus fructicosus) plants in white, delicately sculpted using traditional wax flower making techniques, and dried insect specimens donated by a museum curator, mounted inside American lime and glass entomology cabinet drawers.

In this piece, the blackberries which in the wild provide an important source of nectar for pollinators,
appear to be growing inside the entomology drawer alongside the preserved bee specimens, highlighting
their mutually beneficial relationship. 

Created exclusively for Collect 2025 and in response to the curatorial theme of Black and Gold, these monotone sculptures draw on the internationally renowned blackberry (Rubus) collection at the National Museum of Wales. To reflect this, the drawer is labelled by the artist as if part of a scientific collection.

Townsend's own observations of nature within the urban environment combine with her memories and experiences as a natural science conservator to create works that are scientifically accurate, yet artistically stunning - drawing us, through art, into a consideration and conversation about nature and its fragile beauty.

The piece can be be wall mounted or displayed flat and can be bought individually or as a pair. 

A stunning pendant created for Collect 2025. 

Shown here with Fragile Form Pendant No.1 this unique piece is crafted from 18ct gold and black ruthenium - two precious metals chosen by Mari Thomas to reflect our curatorial theme of Black and Gold. 

Hand carved, the pendant features the words written in response to our call for new work to showcase at Collect 2025 while reflecting the central motifs of words and language within the Fragile Form Collection. 

A stylish addition to the Collection,  the pendant can be bought separately or paired with the contrasting brooch in 18ct gold and black ruthenium. 

A beautiful pendant created for Collect 2025 by Mari Thomas.  

Shown here with Fragile Form Pendant No. 2, and complementing the Fragile Form brooches, this beautiful pendant is crafted from 18ct gold and black ruthenium - two precious metals chosen by Thomas to reflect our curatorial theme of Black and Gold.

The intricate hand carving reflects the significance of words and language within the Fragile Form Series - marking Mari's personal response to our First Of March showcase at Collect 2025. 

A beautiful brooch created for Collect 2025. 

Mirroring the Fragile Form Sculptures by Mari Thomas, this stunning brooch is crafted from 18ct gold, sterling silver and black ruthenium - metals chosen by Thomas to reflect our curatorial theme of Black and Gold and a stunning addition to the Fragile Form Series. 

Thomas creates interest within the piece with her unique hand carving which encapsulates the recurring motifs of words and language that lie at the heart of the Fragile Form Series.

A beautiful brooch created for Collect 2025. 

Mirroring the Fragile Form Sculptures by Mari Thomas, this stunning brooch is crafted from 18 ct gold and black ruthenium - two precious metals chosen by Thomas to reflect our curatorial theme of Black and Gold for Collect. 

The intricate hand carving, while creating interest within the piece, captures Thomas' response to our brief for Collect and reflects the significance of words and language within the Fragile Form Series. 

The hand carved lettering in this beautiful sister piece to Fragile Form Sculpture No#1 captures the signature motifs within the Fragile Form Collection. 

Created for Collect 2025, the sculpture evokes a sense of decay and fragility as seen in the pages of an ancient book - the words and language, the wisdom they hold, remaining when all else has withered and gone, the sculpted form reminiscent of a turning page.   

From her Fragile Form Series, a beautifully sculpted piece by Mari Thomas for Collect 2025. 

The sculpture evokes the fragile pages of an ancient book, words in Welsh and English hand carved into its surface to reflect the lasting impact and power of language, the wisdom of ages held within the ‘pages' - the written word being the last to decay and die. 

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.