Stephanie Worrell
GILDED
This series explores the concept of ‘Gilded’ — a glittering surface concealing inner decay. Drawing from historical narratives that feed and echo in today’s world, critiquing class disparity and the exploitation behind luxury – where labor of the working class fuels the opulence of the elite. The work questions how societies conceal inequality and corruption beneath layers of glamour and refinement, a process metaphorically and literally represented through ‘gilding’.
Investigating this concept through the use of clay, paint and gold leaf, tension between what is revealed and what is hidden is explored. These materials are layered to create visual language of contrast between rawness and polish, decomposition and fortune. Each piece presents a surface that initially shimmers but invites closer inspection, exposing discomforting truths beneath the sheen.
Through jarring imagery and complex textures, the work challenges viewers to consider how these dynamics persist in modern life. It asks: What are we choosing to see? Gilded invites reflection on the cost of beauty and the systems we uphold to maintain appearances.
Dinner is Served
clay, acrylic & gold leaf on canvas
30x30x3cm, 10x10x3cm, 2024
£900
clay, acrylic & gold leaf on canvas
30x30x3cm, 10x10x3cm, 2024
£900
It’s all going up but the wages
oil, alkyd & acrylic on panel
40x43x1cm, 2024
£900
oil, alkyd & acrylic on panel
40x43x1cm, 2024
£900
Carrion
acrylic & PVA layers on canvas
50x41x1.5cm, 2025
£900
acrylic & PVA layers on canvas
50x41x1.5cm, 2025
£900
Man or Pig
acrylic & PVA layers on canvas
50x70x1.5cm, 2025
£1200
acrylic & PVA layers on canvas
50x70x1.5cm, 2025
£1200
WILT
This series explores how women’s achievements have been historically erased, despite their fundamental contributions to human innovation and creativity, questioning why we as a society have failed to recognise their accomplishments during their lifetimes.
The skeletal structure of a leaf serves as a metaphor, symbolising both deterioration of recognition over time and the enduring integrity of foundational contributions. Delicate mixed media textures and structures are used to represent this form, fixed to the canvas to explore the ongoing decay beyond the two dimensional plane. The fragile, hollow form of the leaf poignantly reflects the consequences of ignorance and discrimination, illustrating how the denial of credit distorts historical narratives.
The skeletal structure of a leaf serves as a metaphor, symbolising both deterioration of recognition over time and the enduring integrity of foundational contributions. Delicate mixed media textures and structures are used to represent this form, fixed to the canvas to explore the ongoing decay beyond the two dimensional plane. The fragile, hollow form of the leaf poignantly reflects the consequences of ignorance and discrimination, illustrating how the denial of credit distorts historical narratives.
Wilt 1
acrylic & epoxy clay on canvas,
50x50x4cm, 2024
£1600
acrylic & epoxy clay on canvas,
50x50x4cm, 2024
£1600
Wilt 3
acrylic & epoxy clay on canvas,
50x50x3cm, 2025
£1600
acrylic & epoxy clay on canvas,
50x50x3cm, 2025
£1600
Wilt 2
acrylic & epoxy clay on canvas,
30x50x3cm, 2025
£1200
acrylic & epoxy clay on canvas,
30x50x3cm, 2025
£1200
Wilt 4
concept sketch, work in progress
concept sketch, work in progress
ENTANGLEMENT
This series embodies the struggle between human moralities, reflected in the natural world to underscore our intrinsic connection to nature.
Through seven artworks featuring a bird and a snake in a symbolic conflict, the division of freedom versus deception is explored. Each composition presents a nuanced portrayal, blurring the lines of right and wrong. Utilizing reflective materials for the animals’ eyes, viewers confront their own moral complexities within the art.
Crafted with clay and paint on canvas, the works emphasise the contrast and unity between humanity and nature. The narrative follows a cyclical journey – from birth to conflict to death – suggesting that from death, new life emerges, only to face the same struggle for survival. Through this repeating cycle, the series reveals the enduring patterns of existence and the complex forces that shape it.
Through seven artworks featuring a bird and a snake in a symbolic conflict, the division of freedom versus deception is explored. Each composition presents a nuanced portrayal, blurring the lines of right and wrong. Utilizing reflective materials for the animals’ eyes, viewers confront their own moral complexities within the art.
Crafted with clay and paint on canvas, the works emphasise the contrast and unity between humanity and nature. The narrative follows a cyclical journey – from birth to conflict to death – suggesting that from death, new life emerges, only to face the same struggle for survival. Through this repeating cycle, the series reveals the enduring patterns of existence and the complex forces that shape it.
Entanglement, Birth
acrylic, oil & epoxy clay on canvas
50x70x2cm, 2025
£3000
acrylic, oil & epoxy clay on canvas
50x70x2cm, 2025
£3000
Entanglement, Death
concept sketch, work in progress
concept sketch, work in progress
Entanglement 1
concept sketch, work in progress
concept sketch, work in progress
Entanglement 4
concept sketch, work in progress
concept sketch, work in progress
Entanglement 3
oil & epoxy clay on canvas,
51x40.5x4cm, 2025
£1800
oil & epoxy clay on canvas,
51x40.5x4cm, 2025
£1800
Entanglement 5
concept sketch, work in progress
concept sketch, work in progress
Entanglement 2
concept sketch, work in progress
concept sketch, work in progress
