Our last Kick-About was inspired by the floating threads and meditative forms of Lenore Tawney. This week, we turn our attention to something much smaller but no less intricate: foraminifera. These tiny marine organisms build delicate, chambered shells—natural architectures both ancient and astonishing. Enjoy this latest showcase of new works made in a short time—and for all previous editions of The Kick-About, go here.
Itta Howie
“I had never heard of these tiny organisms. I really liked the sound and meaning of their name, which is Latin and translates as ‘hole bearer’. Their shells, or tests, are located inside the cell membrane, so the amoeba-like body surrounds the hole. Images of creatures carrying holes around the oceans appeared in my mind, and after some initial amoeba doodling, I decided to grab my scissors and make cut-outs. The outcome is a Matisse-like collage that can be rearranged in infinite ways. I didn’t glue anything down, as I just can’t decide on a final version. So maybe this is what it’s meant to be: a moveable collage.”
Graeme Daly
“With Ernst Haeckel always being a massive influence on me, and loving his illustrations of foraminifera, I set out to create something similar. I really like how some of Haeckel’s illustrations appear free-standing, almost as if they have legs. I remembered that I used to make little maquettes of Christmas trees using cardboard, and I applied the same method for this prompt. I simply drew out shapes inspired by those tiny organisms onto thick paper and cut one of them out. I then traced the cut-out to create a replica, cut that out as well, and used a hole punch to add the many small perforations. Finally, I made a slit down the top of one and the bottom of the other so they could be slid together and attached in the middle, allowing them to stand upright. I then did a quick photoshoot of these little fellas.”
@graemedalyart / vimeo.com/graemedaly / linkedin.com/in/graeme-daly / twitter.com/Graeme_Daly / gentlegiant.ie
Gary Thorne
“The tiny holes fascinated me, so I set about free-warp weaving a few items which carry this characteristic. My colour choice is not in parallel, instead I’ve leaned towards a dynamic palette. Unusual prompt which pleased me.”
Ashley
“Folks, I’m sorry I didn’t submit for the previous Kick-About which highlighted the artist Lenore Tawney but I think somehow her ideas of ‘crafting’ have actually spilled over into the current prompt, Foraminifera (say that when you’ve had a few too many glasses of your favourite tipple)! Unless you are a scientist you are probably unaware of their existence but there are believed to be as many as 10,000 separate living species, found mostly in or on the seafloor. They are tiny single-celled organisms often less than 1 mm in size. Walking on a sandy seashore, who would know what is under our feet?
My submission is a simple mobile with a variety of shapes and colours. If I was to start again, I’d probably make the Forma shapes in wood and hang them on strings! My no-longer nimble fingers struggled with the fine thread that I used.”
Phil Gomm
“In terms of cognitive leaps, I didn’t leap very far with this one, as my first thought when looking at these fascinating things was ‘lace doilies’… and so I set about seeking to emulate foraminifera by soaking some fabric doilies in a gloop of PVA glue and filler. That done, I used some balloons to create formers by which to produce some three-dimensionality and when the doilies were dry, I popped the balloons to produce these calcified artefacts.”
philgomm.com / behance.net/Phil_Gomm
Jan Blake
“I maybe getting a bit repetitious in my practice but this prompt was so close to how I work with the cardboard I couldn’t resist.! Taking one of these tiny single-celled marine organisms, this particular one repeated itself into a flower shape so perfectly. I have kept it simple for the purpose of this Kick-About but seeing these daisy like shapes in flowers and architecture of cities and early planning around a central point, I can see how this organism grew up to become this amazing complex world we now live in.”
James Randall
“Love learning about new little creatures – hurrah for the Foraminifera. Sometimes you have to just go with it and hopefully find a good place to stop – thats my first attempt. The second was me sitting back with a cigarette (figurative) contemplating my first image and just letting loose. It’s good to have some time up your sleeve to just do it!”
Charly Skilling
“This prompt sent me straight back to the balloon technique I first tried out for the Lee Krasner prompt. This time I tried some more complex shapes and applied paint by brush as well. The introduction of an iridescent acrylic paint adds an extra dimension.”
And for our next prompt, our latest muse will cast a different complexion on all things creative…
Red's Kingdom 
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