I am Mea Souris.
I work in the field of sculpture & design, including ceramics, paint, paper and textiles.
I have designed & produce recycled paper caskets for cremation or burial, horizontally or vertically for people or for pets called PeacePod®
It has been a process of gradual development. The result provides a functionally aesthetic alternative to traditional coffins/caskets, & greater choice in how to leave the planet when the time comes. In my design brief, I addressed a broad scope of issues related to dying & death – and family/community involvement in preparation & ceremonial participation.
The winds of change are blowing at gale-force around & about the story of dying & death in our families & communities, as we speak. ‘Public’ interest & awareness of dying & death – and all that has been veiled for generations – about what to do when faced with dying & death within our families – is unfolding. People are seeking to be more decisive & involved in celebrating the life of loved ones as they say farewell. The “Funeral Industry“ is consequently adjusting to accommodate the needs of community. If they wish to personalise the funeral / farewell ceremony, ‘people ‘ need to know more about what they can & cannot do for themselves in relation to planning a funeral – this means venue, ceremony format, casket / coffin selection / decoration & all matters of atmosphere, music, catering / feasting etc. As ‘peoples‘ awareness & requirements change, so will the industry. I see it as realignment.
I am in my best space when I am working on sculpture or design.
Ceramic & bronze sculpture, ‘born of toil & fire ‘ – particularly portrait & figurative work – is perhaps my most favoured field. We have ventured into bronze casting (with a great deal of professional input) and this is a very exciting extension of ceramic or wax sculpture. Bronze is expensive, but somehow mysterious in its substance – ‘born of toil & fire‘, it is eventually cold & hard – satin smooth or highly textured – even gritty, yet it plays with light like we play with life.
I love where I live. My workshop/studio is in Tinderbox. Tinderbox wraps the coastline of the Derwent River towards Bruny Island. The river is vast & the sky keeps us all in place – they are both very moody.
It’s a beautiful & safe place to live & to work.
Tasmania is right here – rich in landscape & life diversity – both isolated & inspirational.
Photography by Amy Brown.