PRIMA FAMILIA TOTEMS . 2018

“Touch me please!” is what these ToTems are saying!

The ToTems were conceived as expressive tactile sculptures covered in the vibrant colours of ‘Burel Factory’ wool fabric and 3-dimensional acoustic patterns.

They’re not only sound diffusing acoustic poles, but can also be integrated into a space as playful eye candy sculptures, or as the frilly “Candy” ottoman.

Digging into my Portuguese roots, I took the traditions and materials developed over centuries and applied them to my contemporary Australian lifestyle. Working with artisanal factories in medieval villages in rural Portugal, I sought to bring these traditions into our everyday lives by creating sculptured technicolour forms. 

Born out of the strong connection I have with the burel wool factory, the vibrant appeal of the colours and the tactile aspect of the pleated fabric led me in a very organic manner to experiment with vertical elements and explore scale, colour and form. I was Inspired by Oskar Schlemmer’s ballet - "The Triadic" and sought to abstract the human form and create geometric totemic sculptures. 

Playing with human form, scale, texture and colour, the ToTems captivate with their personality, forming an emotional connection. The wool gives them warmth as if they were people with whom our audience can have an animated conversation.

After showing the Prima Familia first time in June 2018 it was apparent that people engaged warmly with the sculptures almost as anthropomorphic creatures, inanimate but oddly inviting. People were mesmerised and they wanted to touch, to feel, to pat the frills, to sit and gather around the pieces. People told me how my pieces give them a joyful and optimistic feeling. It was this particular bond that excited me!

Please note the original Prima Famila ToTem prototypes were produced in cardboard and new commissions are reproduced in timber.