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I have recently joined the Surrey Arts Society and exhibited in their open studio exhibition last year, joining a group of artists in Cranleigh. Perhaps next year I will hold my own open studio with some artist friends.
The natural world is very close to my heart as is ornament inspired by it. The subject matter of my work always comes back to these ideas.
I work mostly in clay and cast my work but have more recently learned to carve in wood and stone often casting these as well.
It takes much longer working in wood and projects can take me a very long time. As I get older I no longer worry about this as my philosophy is that while I am creating a piece of work it is mine. But once a piece of work is finished it no longer belongs to me but to my audience. It is a great help when selling my work.
At the moment I am working on a woodcarving, which uses several different woods pieced together. It has been a long journey but I hope it will be worthwhile in the end but then life without challenges is not worth anything.
My favourite piece of work to date has been "Amore in Autunno", which contains all the elements I most love in both ornament and relationship.
I have exhibited with Surrey Sculpture Society for a number of years now and have held private exhibitions at home.
La Famiglia Abbracciata by Mena Forte
Girasole (lime wood) by Mena Forte
Amore in Autunno by Mena Forte