Ghost of a ghost

 

I saw this evocative steel metalwork by Lizzie Hughes at the William Morris Gallery. The title ‘ghost of a ghost’ comes from an 1899 review of Morris’ work which references his response to an old door hinge at the gallery. It links the idea of hinges and Rorschach blot tests, which according to the label were devised ‘to exploit the human desire to find form in pattern and abstraction’. I like the way the hinges have become quite eerie stylised bat-like creatures while still retaining their function. Lizzie did this work during a period as artist in residence at the Gallery in 2013 with the help of Design Blacksmith from Stepney City Farm.