We recently had the pleasure of working with Jenny on a unique and creative project. She challenged us to cut concentric cores from a layered Jesmonite block – the largest sample she has made so far.

The block contained embedded, ‘fossilised’ personal objects. These were part of her doctoral research, which explores how we leave traces behind through time. Her concept imagines stratified layers of bedrock that preserve fragments of the past.

The objects relate to people who once lived in Yester House, East Lothian, during the 18th century. Using probate inventories, household accounts and court records, Jenny selected items that reflect the lives and social roles of those individuals.

Each object tells its own story. But together, they form an assemblage – a collection that reveals themes of society, race, class, gender and material culture. These are not just artefacts; they’re records of a specific moment in history.

The block was drilled with precision by Rab, with support from Jazz, Rab 2, Amy and Logan – who gave Jenny the nickname “Jenny from the block”! A title she’s proudly claimed!.

This work will feature in Jenny’s upcoming chapter in Reassembling the Social Interior: Historical Spaces from Contemporary Viewpoints, a new book she has co-edited with Dr @hel.mccormack and Dr @nellisrichter.

Thanks also to the Research Office at @edinburghcollegeofart for supporting such exciting and experimental work. We’re proud to have played a part in this inspiring project!