Jenny Marshall

Contest entry

Title: Do Mathematicians Believe in Fairies?

In a shaft of sunlight, midges hover and swirl, their motion both chaotic and strangely rhythmic. Watch them long enough, and patterns begin to emerge—then dissolve—then reform, always on the edge of reason. Dust motes do the same, drifting in tangled, unpredictable paths. A mathematician might call it a random walk. A child might say it’s the work of fairies. Who’s to say who’s right?

Suspended in air, this sculpture of rusted wire captures this fleeting dance, interwoven with the chaotic beauty of random mathematics. Each twisted filament follows logic, tracing the erratic paths of particles as they collide and drift through space. The structure is both intricate and unpredictable.

Scattered through the mesh, mirrors catch the light, offering fleeting glimpses of the tangled network—reflections that stretch, distort, and multiply. The random walks traced in wire follow a mathematical certainty: individually unpredictable, yet governed by statistical laws. But the mirrors defy such logic. Their reflections create an illusion of endless recursion, while also casting sudden flashes of light into the woodland’s shadows. For an instant, the glimmers dart and dance like something just out of sight—something neither proven nor disproven, mathematical yet magical, from fairyland?

Artist statement and biography

My art blends a fine-art background with a passion for wood. I experiment with paint and wood, exploring light, texture, and movement in two and three dimensions. I deeply respect wood's role in our ecosystem and history, using reclaimed pieces with unique stories. By carefully restoring them, I reveal their natural beauty and age-old marks. This curiosity extends to other usable found materials to compliment the wood. Worn and weathered, these marks and materials inspire my exploration of human identity connected to our planet. Working in my outdoor studio ensures sustainability and carbon neutrality in my process. This is fundamental to my practice, my family and life in general. 

Jenny is based in the East Midlands, UK, where she lives with her husband, two dogs, a cat and four young adult children - who seem to have 'random walks' between higher education. jobs, travels and finding their way in this odd world. In 2019 Jenny walked away from a highly successful career in education of nearly 30 years and re-embraced her creative spirit. She hasn't looked back since and with the unwavering support from her family thrives on every moment of her own 'random walk' through art.