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. 

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. 

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. 

‘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 Study in Black and Gold #2’ features scrambling blackberry (Rubus fructicosus) plants in black, 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.