Vivat Matriarchia creates archaeological artefacts from an imagined matriarchy of real forgotten women of history. Steph Avery-Reynolds uses surface pattern on objects associated with the decorative and domestic sphere to commemorate women in history overlooked by the dominant patriarchal narrative. Ceramics, wallpaper, textiles, acid-etched metals and engraved glass are used to memorialise their missing narratives.

Perihelia focusses on 17th century artscience works of Margaret Cavendish, Anna & Susanna Lister, Maria-Clara Eimmart.

Theory and methodologies related to feminist history, the imagined retro-speculative narrative, and domestic sphere material culture are employed to reinforce Vivat Matriarchia‘s intent, materials and process selection.

Read the full Perihelia Final Masters Book pdf here

F is For Food Bank

F is For Food Bank is a OM/CELF commissioned work in response to an artwork from the National Collection of Wales by David Jones, ‘S is for Shopman‘ 1924, illustrating societal hierarchies experienced by an urban child of early C20th. Contemporising the shop counter setting, the 2026 ‘Town Child’ is at a food bank counter, charity shop and barber shop. The benign quality of decorative ceramic containers are overlaid with cognisant imagery of the contemporary town centre.  In accordance with the normalising of food banks behind anonymous shop fronts, it is depicted alongside ubiquitous charity shops and barbers – recognising the towns’ homogenous face, and those businesses surviving difficult economic conditions.