Rosie Wesley is a graduate from the University for the Creative Arts, Farnham with a BA (Hons) in Metalwork. Previously a resident in The Sorting Office Studios in Eastleigh, she now has her own studio and gallery in Lymington in the New Forest. 

Having lived in the New Forest for many years now, Rosie takes the majority of her inspiration from the local area, and creates her work from found natural objects. Focussing on texture and form, each of Rosie’s sculptural works and jewellery are individual, site-responsive pieces and are one of a kind. 

Rosie uses burn-out casting techniques to transform her found natural objects into metal. Pieces of tree bark, acorns, twigs and leaves make unique components for her work and become immortalised forever. Some of her pieces also feature components based on her drawings or sketches of the forest. 

Photography by Rosie Wesley. 

Influenced mainly by other artist’s approaches to working over their visuals, Rosie finds inspiration in the work of sculptors such as Nancy Graves and painter Claude Monet whose approach to working looks at negative space, texture and found objects. 

She also holds the value of quality craftsmanship in high regard and allows her work to develop ‘organically’ by listening to the processes and materials, in order to celebrate them in the best way possible. Rosie is never quite sure how a sculpture may turn out when she starts and has to remain in tune with her work to know when a piece is finished

Rosie describes her work as a form of ‘Dépaysé’ or a way of “translocating our natural surroundings” which means to remove something from it’s habitual surroundings and move it to another space. Her work allows us to give small snippets of our favourite places a new life in our homes or to be carried with us every day. Rosie often works to commission, and has created lots of bespoke pieces using objects from people’s gardens, wedding venues, holiday destinations or favourite outdoor spaces. Perfect for remembering loved ones, encapsulating unique experiences or commemorating special moments. 

“I love working with people to create bespoke work. Meeting people and hearing their stories is such a heart-warming experience and it feels so rewarding to be trusted with making special pieces for my customers.” Rosie is continuing to work in isolation at the moment in her new studio space at her gallery Chalk’s.

You can shop for her work and for work by other Hampshire and New Forest based artists on the Chalk’s Gallery website www.chalksgallery.com. 

My website: www.rosiewesley.com 

Instagram: @explorecreaterosie Etsy Shop: www.etsy.com/uk/shop/RosieWesleyShop

Rosie’s Jewellery is for sale on our Shop page