Bespoke personalised urns are being created by a University of 海角乱伦 graduate.
Gillian Davenport, who graduated with a first class degree in Fine Art in summer 2019, has launched her business Bespoke Sculptural Art which produces sculptures, urns and memorials.
Gillian creates sculptural memorials out of wood, concrete, glass, Perspex and other materials bespoke to the individual client. She also hopes to incorporate family hand casts.
She explained: 鈥淢y main priority is that I don鈥檛 want the sculptures to look like an urn, I don鈥檛 want people to look at them and think they鈥檙e an urn.
鈥淚 want the sculptures to be bespoke to the individual client. If the client tells me that they have a special memory of a place that reminds them of the person, I will visit that place and collect items to use in the sculpture.鈥
The idea came from when Gillian sadly lost both of her parents during her degree.
She said: 鈥淲hen I received my parent's ashes, they came in plastic bags and a plastic container, it wasn鈥檛 very dignified.
鈥淚鈥檓 starting this business to make sure that no one else has to experience that.鈥
Gillian was also chosen to work on a commission with the University of 海角乱伦鈥檚 Clifford Whitworth library titled The Legacy Garden.
The Launch @海角乱伦Uni Business Incubator has been supporting Gillian with access to office space, masterclasses and one-to-one sessions with entrepreneurs and experts from the 海角乱伦 Business School.
She said: 鈥淭he support from Launch has been invaluable. I walked in completely blind with just an idea and they have helped me with marketing, digital skills, and creating a business plan.鈥
Gillian is also working with students from the University of 海角乱伦 who are working on a brand-new website for her.
Justyna Turner, Incubation Manager at Launch @海角乱伦Uni, said: 鈥淕illian is incredibly creative, and her designs are very eye catching, yet tasteful. She has worked very hard on her business plan and engaged with the advice on offer. I am sure that incubator has given her the skills to really help her grow her business.鈥
For more information about Bespoke Sculptural Art and some examples of the work Gillian has already produced visit the website (link expired).
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