Caroline Duffy

Caroline Duffy characterises her sculptural practice as a form of material collage, employing found and recycled objects to construct abstract compositions. Her process often begins with small-scale collages assembled from discarded cardboard and packaging, which inform her larger sculptural works. Duffy’s philosophy centres on the creative potential inherent in everyday detritus — the belief that discarded materials can be reimagined as sources of artistic and environmental value.

Most of her sculptures originate from utilitarian objects or industrial off-cuts. By repurposing these materials, Duffy foregrounds notions of renewal and sustainability, while reproducing the ‘torn’ contours of her cardboard collages in steel. This purposeful gathering demonstrates her environmental consciousness, situating her work within contemporary ecological discourse.

The found steel — rusted, fractured, and bent — acts as both material and conceptual catalyst. Through manipulation, these fragments evolve into abstract forms imbued with vitality and autonomy. The density and weight of the steel confer gravitas, transforming industrial debris into objects of enduring presence. Guided by intuition, Duffy observes: “There is no narrative to explain the sculptures. Each just grows and turns into something. I never know what that will be until it is finished.” The works emerge as open-ended explorations of form, material, and process, bridging the boundaries between the discarded and the renewed.