Elizabeth Shaw has completed her Masters in Visual Arts at the Queensland College of Art where she currently lectures in Jewelry and Small Objects. Her practice explores the reuse of discarded or broken items otherwise considered waste. Ethical and environmental concerns are central to her practice, and through re-purposing objects Shaw comments on society’s disposable attitude towards consumer goods. In her solar powered studio, Shaw prioritizes hand tools over power tools, whilst also preferring reuse to minimize energy in processing.
For Greensmith, Shaw repaired broken ceramics and gave them a new purpose by transforming them into rings. The once valued ceramics included her mother’s childhood dog and cat ornaments and a handle found while digging a garden. Through creative restorations and reuse, the objects are able to tell new stories, commenting on the fickle relationship we have with consumer objects.