Sculpture
Mary-Ann Toop creates enchanting, highly detailed fairytale sculptures, many of which move with the aid of mechanical movement (automata, mobiles and balance sculptures).
With an imagination pre-occupied with a beautiful place she calls Concordia’s World, her sculptures represent the creatures she finds there. Inspired by childhood memories, fairytales and a love of nature, plus a preoccupation with winged things, each one is a delightful synthesis of textile art and engineering.
Making every part of her creations herself, Mary-Ann is constantly learning new skills. She particularly enjoys experimenting to develop her own techniques.
Her creations, which include butterflies, dragons, and other imaginary creatures, like her series of Nutlings (little acorn-cap wearing oaktree dwellers), aim to bring a little magic into the world. Her story-telling artworks enchant the viewer, helping them re-enter the endlessly curious, playful, and imaginative world of childhood – that rich inner world where anything is possible.
About The Artist
Based on the edge of the New Forest, Mary-Ann has always been creative. Her adventures in Concordia’s World began in relatively recent years after ill health ended her 30-year career in civil engineering.
Over time, the creative process and resulting sculptures became a form of mental health therapy. Symbolic of escapism and the desire to fly, her creations also comfort others through a combination of nostalgic subject matter and calming meditative movement with natural material choices like leather, natural fibres, hardwoods, warm brass and copper.
Using a blend of self-taught sewing methods, years of experimentation, plus skills acquired at specialist workshops, Mary-Ann designs, creates, shapes and embellishes each creature to bring it life with its own unique character and motion.
She prefers using recycled materials, not only as an ethical statement, but she likes to think of once-cherished items being given a new life and a new adventure.
