How did you become involved with the National Museum of Wales?
I was studying printed textiles. The tutors on my course encouraged us to practice our drawing skills and each week we studied flowers. When I graduated, my portfolio was full of flower illustrations which led to my work in the Botany Department.
What drove you towards wax?
Wax has been used as a sculpting material for hundreds of years, particularly in the facsimile of biological material, because of its lifelike, translucent qualities and because it can be cast and sculpted into a form whilst remaining slightly malleable.
© Annette Marie Townsend
Why is the natural world so captivating?
I focus on small delicate details that might be hidden or overlooked. I love the infinite complexity of microscopic patterns, the richness of natural textures and the composition of miniature habitats. I’m also influenced by the urban environment that surrounds me.
How do your sculptures come alive?
Plant sculptures are created with an internal support frame made from mixed media. Wire, silk fabric, paper, cotton thread and glass beads – depending on the structure. Therefore, I use many techniques: mixing and colouring wax, coating wires, dipping and forming fabric, tying and fusing parts together and applying external paint finishes.