A sculptural metal purse - ‘Pretty Dangerous’.      

        I wanted to transform a traditionally feminine object into something almost weaponized. As a woman walking through the world, I often feel unsafe. To me this reflects the quiet calculations that are made before leaving the house at night, the instinct to be ready, the blur between self-expression and self-protection. What does it mean to carry beauty and danger in the same hand?      

        My process began with a concept. And the concept first took form in clay, where I modelled the purse’s shape and surface details by hand. This 3D clay model allowed me to explore proportions and tactility before moving into metal.      

        Once satisfied with the prototype, I began preparing the casting process. I chose Zamak, an eclectic family of alloys with a base metal of zinc and alloying elements of aluminium, magnesium, and copper. Its relatively low melting point of around 380°C made it ideal for precise casting while maintaining strength and weight — qualities that reinforced the object as both delicate and defensive.      

        The sand mold was carefully packed and shaped around the clay model. Removing the clay from the sand felt like a slow, methodical act of archaeological excavation. Finally, the Zamak was melted and poured into the mold, taking on the form of the original sculpture.