Originally from Hong Kong, Nora initially specialised in Graphic Design in the 70's. But realising it wasn't for her, moved to the UK to study at Brighton Polytechnic to work in Wood, Metal, Ceramics and Plastics. She then took opportunity to begin taking her jewelry making further, experimenting with untraditional materials such as acrylic, resin, polyester and fibre glass.
Here are some of her works from the late 80's to early 90's:
In 2004, Nora visited America's Havard Museum of Natural History to see the Glass Flower exhibition. This inspired her to create her Nylon Bonaticus collection where her main focus is on organic forms, mimicking the natural forms and structures of flowers, plants, insects, etc.
Recently she has exhibited a mix of all of her nylon pieces at Nottinghamshire's Harley Gallery.
The exhibition looked stunning; I think the white washed rooms worked well with her work, as the fishing wire's transparency reflected the suns gaze, making the rooms almost glitter and glow. It has to be one of the most inspirational, beautiful and yet so unusual collection I have ever seen - So delicately crafted and meticulous. Here are several of Nora Fok's Cloud Nylon works, I photographed every individual piece:
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| Fountain, 2004 |
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| Princess Pagoda, 2005 |
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| Cloud Nylon, 2007 |
The Kardinsky Circles were my ultimate favourite piece. I adore the design and the crisp colours used. It's attractive, innovative and quite frankly, flawless!
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| Kardinsky Circles, 2007 |
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| Daisy, 2003 |
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| Bubble Bath, 2001 |
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| Walking Onions, 2006 |
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| Biston Betularia, 2000 |
Several of Nora's vegetable and flower interpretations fascinated me, the detail and realisim in these pieces were not only impressive, but you could really grasp a sense of the patience and concentration that she had put into them.
I love all of the sculptured garden and wild flowers (taken from the Nylon Bonaticus collection) displayed at the exhibition, so meticulously detailed and delicate. I think it was creative of her to incoporate sections of real flowers, it gave her work a handcrafted and organic feel.
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| Million Dollar Collar, 2006 |
Million Dollar Collar was the first piece I saw on the exhibition's website. I thought it appeared a lot more attractive on the photographs with Nora modelling it. It looked so flat and lifeless in the glass display cabinet. I think if it was presented on a black headless manican (similar to some of her other work was) rather than on a blank background, it would be flawless.
I thought Nora's creepy crawlies (taken from the Bug Bazaar exhibition) were incredibly imaginative and unusual. She used all organic materials like crab claws, leaves, twigs, plant parts and pine cones to create them. 
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| Life Cycle, 2007 |
Disc Florets was another one of my favourites. Again, I preffered this piece's appearance when photographed on a model, as it looks elegant and beautifully shaped. Her interpretations of water looked so clean and pure.
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  Calculator, 2002 |
Nora's nylon pieces (Mathemagic, Reapeating loops,etc) took me back to my childhood days when scoobies were the crazed trend. The substancial repetitive loops and the variation of colours made every piece individual and unique.
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| This is Life, 2007 |
In the upstairs section of the exhibition Nora's life was summarised, surrounded by photographs highlighting great memories and her experiences, I found myself glued to it, inspired by her success and vast development. Near by it were a collection of small, but significant samples - that all lead to where she is now. This collection also showed the various knitting and sowing techniques she used to create her work - e.g.: crochet, weaving and knotting.
The complex computer images, also exhibited, shows how she plans and designs her work meticulously. The Mathemagic pieces turn nylon into simple and complex structures inspired by her fascination with mathematical models.
These more solid designs take her jewelry to the next dimension. I feel that if she attempted this technique with her other work she'd have yet another flawless and fascinating jewelry collection to introduce to the fashion industry.
The exhibition gave the opportunity for the audience to get actively invloved. One section allowed us to attempt our own works of art. Clearly they're of no comparision to Nora's work, but it was exciting and I loved getting my chance to leave my mark at the exhibition! - And I think everyone else did too.
It would be a once in a life time opportunity to work with this woman. Her work is a relevation and a celebration to mother nature! I cannot wait to see what she produces next, but I don't think we've seen the last of Nora Fok...
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