Splendour

This project with Royal Museums Greenwich starts with the Armada Portrait of the 16th Century English Queen, Elizabeth 1 who reigned from 1558–1603.
This Renaissance Queen, carefully constructed, a highly sophisticated image of herself for public consumption. In the many portraits that survive, the texture and sumptuous splendour of her clothes and jewels were designed to impress her subjects and suitors. Through diplomatic channels, they spoke of her wealth, majesty and ambition. This transdisciplinary project explores the staging of these objects; jewels, feathers, fabrics, threads, beads and pearls on the body and the meanings, impact and glamour they have the potential to perform.

This project looks specifically at how fashion, adornment, art and architecture was a tool of expression for this woman and others in different ways.
The pieces have been photographed in Stirling Castle and will be displayed at a symposium event in June at the Queen’s House in Greenwich.