Behind a normal door in Milton Keynes, United Kingdom, lives an ordinary woman. This woman creates extraordinary things. Treading the line between art and craft is Deathwish Design, the creative enterprise of Jen Hacker.
Her signature range of skulls has been causing a stir on social media, challenging the belief that the form of a skull is something to be unnerved by. Cast from a real medical specimen, sculpted, and then decorated, each skull is one-of- a-kind. Over 30 hours go into creating each one, with a motivation for each one to exist. The summer range in bright colours and decoupage butterflies brings the feeling of the season into the home, even if our great British weather denies it. Her recent ‘featherhead’ collection explores the link between the afterlife and avian world. ‘Death touches every living thing, so inspiration is infinite. The western view of death is only a tiny part of our big world. Some may fear it, yet others celebrate it, like me!’
Although some of her pieces can be subversive, there are others that are made with doses of humour and nostalgia. Her ‘Anarchy Cheerleaders’ are a tribute to Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit video. Complete with pom-poms, ‘Anarchy’ dress, tattoo, and skull motifs, they certainly take me back to the days of the mosh pit, and the sadness of a creative force that died too young. The ‘Toxic Ted’s’ are victims of a government experiment gone wrong, and kept sealed for your protection! These cute critters glow in the dark, and give you a feeling that they are still alive, their eyes still hold a message that cannot be delivered.
Where other retailers are thinking about Christmas ranges, Jen is busy gearing up for Halloween. ‘Although I sell throughout the year, there is no denying that I enjoy the build-up to bringing new items to my clientele. It is important to engage on social media and a job in itself connecting with people. The feeling I get when a piece goes to a new home, where it will be loved and appreciated makes it all worthwhile.’
More info: deathwishdesign.com
Summer Skull Collection
Darker Skies - Atelier Skull
Pickled Ted's
Ptah
The 'featherhead' collection
Toxic Ted's
'Anarchy Cheerleader
'Teddypede'
Adonis Blue
