S U S I E    M A C M U R R A Y {Shell}

20,000 mussel shells inlaid with red silk-velvet

For Shell, Susie MacMurray covered the walls of an 18th century stairwell

with 20,000 mussel shells inlaid with velvet:

“I’m my own worst enemy in that I often use things that can’t be easily bought or made. To get 20,000 joined, partially open mussel shells required weekly trips to a local fish restaurant in Chester to collect their rubbish. For over 3 months I spent 3 days a week sorting, discarding, scraping, bleaching, boiling and stacking what I calculated should be enough shells to cover two walls of the stairwell. Finding 100 metres of the most opulent red silk velvet possible was comparatively straightforward, involving internet research and a trip to Berwick Street in London to haggle with different shops to get the best price.”

This large-scale installation was commissioned for Pallant House Gallery,

a Queen Anne townhouse in the centre of Chichester, West Sussex.

The installation references the relationship between the newly married Elizabeth and Robert Peckham.

The couple shared a passionate desire to build a spectacular new house

before going their separate ways shortly after the building was completed.