Contemporary visions: Re-figuring the esoteric; the transformational act of “making” magic.

This exploration examines the design and material culture of magical art, ritualpractice, and esoteric objects. It includes discussion on the objects of both historicaland contemporary folk traditions and occult practices such as votive offerings, buildingmagic, and ritual deposits, and draws on the methodologies of bricolage and heuristicpractices as a means of theoretical underpinning. The exploration also considersesoteric objects, artifacts, and folklore practices from Britain and Ireland and thenre-examines these practices through the art and design of contemporary makerscurrently working in the UK. Taking a reflective approach to design history and usingfirst-hand interviews and reflections on the methods of artists such as Lucy Wright,Sally Gilford, and Becky Brewis, this explorative paper will discuss how these modernmakers are rethinking occult themes and redesigning esoteric artifacts from a personaland social perspective, whilst working towards a goal of community and connection forboth themselves and their audiences.