My work is currently predominantly research-based, physically manifesting into sculpture and performance using a developing method of Astral Projection to realise form and composition. Exploring the narratives surrounding an object’s, being’s, or site’s, physical presence in the material world and its alchemical transformation in an emotional or metaphysical context, bodies of work evolve over long periods of time, relying on the timely process of synchronicity to inform next steps. Working across a variety of media, conversation and collaboration is at the core of the development and understanding of my practice.
My work is currently predominantly research-based, physically manifesting into sculpture and performance using a developing method of Astral Projection to realise form and composition. Exploring the narratives surrounding an object’s, being’s, or site’s, physical presence in the material world and its alchemical transformation in an emotional or metaphysical context, bodies of work evolve over long periods of time, relying on the timely process of synchronicity to inform next steps. Working across a variety of media, conversation and collaboration is at the core of the development and understanding of my practice.
Most recently my work has focused on an intense exploration into Grief, using Astral Projection as a processing and visualising technique to interact with unconscious subject matter. My practice completely transformed in 2020 when I returned to making work following time away due to a period of deep grief. In 2021 I was awarded the Art’s Council England DYCP grant for; Throes of Grief: Collaborative Conversations, a period of research into the presence of grief in contemporary art practice, featuring collaborations with selected practitioners. In May 2022 I was awarded the ‘a space’ Southampton Artist Led Network Champion fund for ‘Throes of Grief: Artist Collective”.
I am currently working on my first publication, and writing an application for a practice based PhD, exploring Astral Projection as a medium to process grief.
Education
2011-2013 MA Fine Art with PGCERT in Teaching & Learning in Higher Education, Kingston University, London
2003-2006 BA Fine Art, Kingston University, London
2002-2003 Foundation Diploma in Art and Design, Leicester DeMontfort University, Leicester
Awards and Residencies
2022 Artist in Residence, At The Garage, Bristol
2022 Peer Network Champion; ‘a space’ arts & Arts Council England funded peer network programme; Throes of Grief, Artist Collective. Throes of Grief is an artist led collective research initiative exploring both the presence and themes of Grief in contemporary art practice, founded by Annabel Pettigrew in 2020.
2021 DYCP; Arts Council England and National Lottery Funding; Throes of Grief, Collaborative Conversations. Explorative and collaborative research into the presence of grief and grief-related themes in contemporary art practice.
2021 Re-Emerging, mini-residency at Aplpip Arts, Dorset
2021 The Exchange; A peer network across selected networks, including The Newbridge Projects, Eastside Projects, CAMP, G39, Spike Island, and Turf Projects, selected through Spike Island Associates, Bristol
Solo Exhibitions
2022 Portals & Entities, Dust, Penzance
Group Exhibitions
2022 Re:Living, Granton Hub, Edinburgh
2022 Black Pig Printmakers, Frome
2022 Dappled Light, More Than Ponies, New Forest
2021 The Alchemical Imagination with Golden Dome, Flower Head, Los Angeles
2019 Wayzgoose, Black Pig Printmaking Studio, Frome
2017 Extinct Icons & Ritual Burials, Onca, Brighton
Participating Programmes and Research
2022 ASDS Artist Research Group, (Association for Death and Society)
2022 Jung: Art & The Alchemical Imagination, with Ann McCoy; Cohort, Jungian Online
2021 More Than Ponies Advisory Board Member
2021 Jung: Artists and Dreamers with Ann McCoy; Cohort, Jungian Online
2021 EBC 2021 Cohort, Bristol UK
2021 The Alchemical Imagination Cohort, Golden Dome School, Los Angeles
2020-present Throes of Grief; Founder & participant. Throes of Grief is an artist led collective research initiative exploring both the presence and themes of Grief in contemporary art practice.
2020-present People + Place (PaP); An artists’ peer network led by artist Laura Eldret, in partnership with MTP (More Than Ponies), supported by ‘a space’ arts
2020-present Studio holder at Drawing Projects UK
2019-present Keyholder Printmaker at Black Pig Printmaking Studio, Frome
2019-2021 More Than Ponies: Searching For Sybil; Research into the magic of Sybil Leek, New Forest
Publications
2022 Read Black River, published by Black River Online
2022 Dust Zine 5: Portals & Entities, printed by Dust, UK
2021 Tonic : Traversing Terrains; ‘Trauma Blanket’ & ‘Mossy Witch’, published by More Than Ponies, New Forest, UK
2020 Cookbook for Cosmic Care, ‘Ceremonial Sloe Gin’, published by The Golden Dome School, San Francisco, USA
2019 You’re A Witch, Bitch!, ‘Josephine’, Issue 5 of Lucky Witch Zine, printed in Christchurch, NZ
2017 Hastings Independent Press; ‘What David Bowie Taught Me’, Hastings, UK
Exhibitions, Talks, Events
2023 Meditate, Visualise, Create! An online workshop, selected by EOP as part of the series ‘still there are seeds to be gathered’
2022 Truth Mirror; Performance and guided meditation, Herrretics, Wirksworth
2022 Walking to Re Emerge; Workshop at Haarlem Artspace, Wirksworth UK
2022 Cafe Mort, hosted by Lucy Willow, Dust, UK
2021 The Alchemical Imagination; Golden Dome, Group Show curated by Eliza Swan
2021 First Friday; In Conversation with Sophie Pierce & Annabel Pettigrew, Art Earth online event
2021 The Exchange Summit; Sacred Knotting Workshop with Annabel Pettigrew & Mani Kambo, hosted by Eastside Projects
2021 Art Earth ‘High Water, ‘Lunar Tidal Magic’, online live performance event
2019 Waking the Witch: Josephine; A specially commissioned wood cut print with magical automatic writing. For sale alongside touring exhibition. Curated by Legion Projects, various locations, UK
2019 Wayzgoose, Black Pig Printmaking Studio, Frome
Visiting Lecturer/Tutor
2022-ongoing Associate Lecturer & Tutor Group Leader, Fine Art BA(Hons), Arts University Bournemouth
2022-ongoing Course Lead, Foundation Art & Design, Wiltshire College, Salisbury Campus
2022 Visiting Lecturer, Fine Art BA(Hons), Falmouth University
2019-2022 Workshop Course Leader, Printmaking (all levels) Lino & Engraving,
Black Pig Printmaking Studios, Frome
2012-2017 Visiting Lecturer/Module Leader/Workshop Leader, Fine Art BA(Hons), Kingston University