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Sophie, our level 3 art lecturer, created powerful metalwork art for her exhibition in Venice. And it’s capturing a great deal of attention.
Her latest collection was on display at the Fondazione Querini Stampalia, as part of the Venice Design Week, one of the world’s most prestigious design events.
The exhibition of contemporary jewellery and wearable art is called ‘I DON’T SHINE- I have something to say’, curated by Eleonora Varotto and Lisa Balasso, shows that jewellery can be an expressive art form as well as decorative.
Sophie saw an opportunity to give her art meaning, to spread awareness and speak out against violent words and actions directed at women.
The artists in the classroom
Sophie brings years of experience and vast knowledge to our art students at Bath College.
Her background in 3D Design in Metals from Middlesex University, combined with her experience working with the renowned Peter Johns, the inventor of Argentium silver, has allowed her to push the boundaries of metalwork.
“My work is a response to the female experience of violent words and actions,” Sophie explains. “Through my repoussé work, I explore ideas of protection, witnessing, and listening and processing”.
Her creative inspiration draws from a diverse range of powerful artists such as Paula Rego, Jesse Jones, Tracey Emin as well as dramatic monochrome etchings such as those by Rembrandt.
She believes their work powerfully captures women’s experiences.
Sophie regularly attends life drawing sessions here in Bath, as the starting point to her sculpture work.
Additionally, further training from the Women in Stone class at SVC improved her knowledge and awareness of relief sculpture, which she then applied to a metal working context.
How an ancient craft inspires modern activist art
The main techniques Sophie uses are chasing and repoussé, some of the oldest in metalwork. Repoussé means ‘pushed back’.
It involves using a hammer and punches to push the metal from both sides, creating a relief sculpture.
While these techniques date back thousands of years, Sophie has used them for contemporary art to express resistance to violence against women.
Sophie begins with life drawing and many hours of physical metal work. Through this process, she reflects her themes of strength and transformation.
“Each piece becomes a conversation,” says Sophie, “and women of all ages have told me they’ve found this work relatable and empowering.”
When violence moves online
Today, the ease of access to social media and AI means that millions of women and girls are affected by digital violence. And Sophie’s Venice exhibition relates to the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence, running from 25 November to 10 December 2025.
This year’s campaign focus is on ending digital violence against women and girls, which is an increasing and common experience for women.
While Sophie’s metalwork stands against violent acts, violent words, the need for protection, and the power of being heard, the issue is strongly linked to ongoing digital violence.
Online, women experience intimidation and harassment, but the fight for change is the same: to give survivors a voice, power, and presence.
Violence against women isn’t just physical, as you might have been told. It now spreads to social media and AI.
And a woman or girl who experiences digital violence carries the trauma into everyday life.
Similarly, survivors of physical violence tend to suffer digital violence and harassment, according to a National Institutes of Health study.
Sophie’s art reminds us that creating a safe space and voice for survivors of physical and digital violence will allow women to speak and thrive without fear or restrictions.
Art that inspires action and change
It speaks volumes that the art of a Bath College lecturer is currently exhibited at Venice Design Week.
And our students are delighted to learn from such an inspirational role model every day.
But beyond inspiration, it means more.
It’s a message to students, women, and girls that art can be a form of activism, inspire strength, push for change, and raise awareness through a creative channel.
This year’s 16 Days of Activism to End Gender-based Violence theme is “UNiTE to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls.”
Digital abuse towards women and girls is on the rise. This may include:
· Image abuse
· Cyberbullying
· Online threats
· AI-generated deepfakes (explicit images)
· Hate speech
· Online stalking
· Online grooming
· Catfishing
· Misogynistic networks (the manosphere and incel forums)
Sophie’s metalwork embodies experiences of violence, survival, and the importance of empowering survivors.
We all have a role to play in creating a safer online space.
Join the movement
Sophie’s art shows how speaking out against violence towards women can take many forms, including education, art, writing, and, most importantly, collective action.
The UN Women’s UNiTE campaign invites everybody to be a part of the solution to a growing global human rights emergency.
Students, lecturers, artists, and community members can help fight to end all forms of gender-based violence. Learn more and join the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence.
Your voice matters.
Want to report domestic violence? Call or text Southside at 07724 011051 or email yp.support@south-side.org.uk.