Slugs and Snails

Saving the world is no easy task, especially when you’re trying to do it one snail at a time! I’m often called referred to as the Slug Lady or Snail Lady! There are worse things to be called. Slugs especially are the marmite of the animal kingdom - they are incredibly divisive. Some people love them, others love to hate them. If you know about Julia Kristeva’s Abjection Theory, you’ll understand why. Many people think I’m not a gardener, but I am. I just don’t mind my garden also doubling as a wildlife haven. To that end I have a resident blind rescue hedgehog who does a great job at keeping pests low. Our compost heap is also provides a distracting banquet! And yes, I do find slugs and snails beautiful. I defy anyone to spend some time watching their graceful flow, not to be moved. If children can so can you. I want to change people’s minds about these incredibly fragile and vulnerable creatures. If people can see their beauty and worth, then it’s easy to convince people about everything else. Plus they are really fun to make. When I’m sculpting them I imagine what they might be up to, what they are thinking or where they might be going.

Animals

I have felt deep empathy, respect and care towards all animals and creatures for as long as my memory serves. As a toddler I refused to eat lamb at a family meal after clarifying what it was (a baby of another species) and becoming horrified at the thought of eating it. I don’t think I looked at my family or other people the same ever since. It was from that pivotal moment that I began the battle of not eating meat that continued into my late teens. I’m now fully vegan, unable to feast on dairy in good conscience. This decision has been so positive for my wellbeing, for the planet and my own health.

I find our (humans) relationship to animals, complex, fascinating and hypocritical. The concept of Speciesism and our (humanities) scientific need to change, in order to save the planet, is now paramount. It’s the elephant-in-the-room of climate policies and politics. We are at climate and extinction tipping point! The time to act is now.

People protect what they love, I want to encourage people to love and appreciate animals, as I do, in the hope people will change for the greater good. I want people to read their minds, see their thoughts and feel their character. To find similarity and kinship. Their lives have no less worth than our own. I currently focus my attention on British wildlife, creatures seen as pests and farmed animals. To draw you in and ponder their worlds.