Artist Statement
As an artist, I work in paint, mixed media and sound to capture subjects that stimulate my reflection on ecology, environmental or social justice. Surrounded by rural landscape, I find myself drawn to people, places and plants often considered unimportant or marginal to mainstream modern life. My work, whether in paint, mixed media or sound, foregrounds less significant sights and sounds from my local surroundings, often embedded in a complex network of relationships.
Most recently, my work has focussed on two local freshwater reed-beds that have been restored following saline incursion during tidal floods. This wetland environment is constantly in flux, demonstrating resilience in beauty and beauty in resilience.
My current working process involves spending many hours sitting low down amongst the reeds, in all conditions of wind and weather coming off the estuary. My drawings and sound recordings are an intuitive response to the changing environment as I experience it. These are then worked up into finished pieces, raising awareness of this unique freshwater wetland environment, which is home to several habitat specific species such as the Bittern and Cetti’s Warbler, as well as multiple invertebrates. My extensive study of the reed-bed ecology has shown me that oft-disregarded organisms underpin entire ecosystems; and the importance of reed-beds to our environment and wellbeing. Living with multiple disabilities, my access to and view of the rural environment is from a particular angle. My low viewing position (sitting amongst the reeds) and my acute observation of power dynamics means I am drawn to those small, overlooked things that nestle in the landscape. I work these into my paintings through complex layers and networks indicative of the wider context in which I find them. In my acoustic pieces, sounds which are small or hard to hear are foregrounded and layered in a web of interactions that hint at the interdependence of nature and the multiplicity of place.
recent exhibitions
2020 'Practice in Place', Humber Street Gallery, Hull
2020 Climate Change: Wetlands - Wilderspin National School Museum (solo exhibition)
2020 Critical Fish 'Above Below' online exhibition
2019 No.44 Exhibition, HSAD
2019 Lindsay Lodge Hospice Exhibition
2019 Feren's Gallery Open Exhibition 2019
2018 Steelrooms - winter open exhibition - featured artist
2018 20-21 Gallery Open exhibition - 2nd prize winner
2018 Hull in paint - touring exhibition (Hull Civic Society)
2018 Steelrooms - a Case for Place open exhibition
2018 Ropewalk - Humber to the Wash group exhibition
2018 'Underlined', Central library Hull - ArtLink's Square Peg Programme
2017 Steelrooms Open Exhibition
2017 Fountain 17 exhibition Brodrick Gallery - highly commended
various group exhibitions and artworks on display at regional venues, including Hull NHS memory clinic
community arts
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Feren's Art Gallery, Video Masterclass for Big Draw 'Climate of Change' (2020)
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Square Peg Underlined community arts project (disability and diversity) - bespoke workshops for communities unable to access mainstream arts provision (2017-18)
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Experience teaching adult learners (2018)
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School workshops/ bespoke mural project (Sept, 2018)
awards
Shortlisted for ACS Studio Prize 2020
Artwork featured in A5 Arts Magazine May 2019
1 of 10 UK Graduating Artists to feature in a-n.co.uk degree show guide 2019
Artwork featured on cover of NCAAD report for Royal College of Psychiatrists (2018-19)
Featured Artist - Steelrooms winter open exhibition 2018
Artwork selected to represent Steelrooms Gallery Winter Open-Call 2018
20-21 Exhibition 2nd prize for painting (2018)
Fountain '17 exhibition - Highly Commended artwork
Fountain '17 exhibition - award for essay writing
education
BA Hons Fine Art (first class award)