Artist Statement
I create sculptural forms using textiles, found objects, collected personal and family memorabilia, and recycled materials mixed with new. Establishing a real or imagined narrative around the materials I work with drives my practice. The physical qualities, and history of original use and functions, inform the invented record of each piece. It is an exploration of colour, technique and form, and my own associations with the materials and objects. The importance of textiles in each piece comes from cherishing fabrics as a child - dressing up in old remnants and playing, fabric shopping on the markets with female relatives, and hand sewn garments being made and passed on. As a result of this upbringing I value the handmade clothes and recycling, treasuring the imperfections of the handmade, and the accidents and qualities of sewn treasures by family and friends. Using their original tactile nature and appearance, unpicked of their original form, recycled clothes and collected objects hint at their old life, while a changed identity and structure suggests a new one. It is an exploration of colour, technique and form, influenced by retro objects, secret details and a process driven design.
CV & Education
Qualifications and training
1992 - Textiles/Fashion-Embroidery, Manchester Polytechnic, Manchester
Solo exhibitions
2012 - Within The Glass Dome, Bilston Craft Gallery, Wolverhampton
2003 - Showcase , Arts Council West Midlands, Birmingham
2002 - Textile Exhibition, Peter Scott Gallery, Lancaster University
2002 - Textiles Exhibition, Stop House, British Waterways, Northamptonshire
Group exhibitions
2013 - PINT, The Brewhouse, Burton upon Trent
2013 - SOCK Craft and Commission Fair, Loughborough Town Hall, Loughborough
2012 - Gifted 12, National Centre for Craft and Design, Sleaford
2012 - I Give You This, The Brewhouse, Burton upon Trent
2012 - Unit12 Craft Open , Unit 12 Gallery, Stafford
2011 - Open , Leamington Spa Art Gallery and Museum, Leamington Spa
2011 - Precious Things, New Brewery Arts , Cirencester
2011 - Sculpture in the Sanctuary, Swan Sanctuary, Southwell, Nottinghamshire
2010 - Made to Measure, New Brewery Arts Centre, Cirencester
2009 - Concept, Northampton University, Northampton
2009 - Warped or Not?, Artspace, Coventry
2007 - Open , Leicester City Gallery, Leicester
2007 - Open, Rugby Art Gallery and Museum, Rugby, Warwickshire
2004 - Open, Pump Rooms, Leamington Spa
2003 - Crafty Tales, Rugby Art Gallery and Museum, Warwickshire
2003 - Submerse, Walford Mill Craft Centre, Dorset
2003 - Vessels, Romney Marsh Craft Centre, Folkestone
2003 - Wired, Bishops Gallery, Salop
2002 - Birmingham Designer Maker Fair, MAC, Birmingham
2002 - Chelsea Crafts Fair, Chelsea Town Hall, London
2002 - Leicester City Gallery, 14th Annual Open Exhibition, Leicester
2001 - Open, Herbert Gallery and Museum, Coventry
Curated projects
2009 - Exhibitions Officer, TaP Textiles and Paper Group, West Midlands
Workshops
2009 - Memories, Active8 Arts and Warwickshire County Council, Nuneaton
2008 - Growing Together, Rugby Schools, Warwickshire
2006 - Reminiscence, Artszone, Inter-generational Film Project, Warwickshire
Residencies
2012 - Woven Threads, Offchurch Village Green, Warwickshire
2009 - Artsfest Birmingam, Heart of england Galleries Consortium, Victoria Square, Birmingham
2009 - Story Hats- Early Years and Adult special needs, Nuneaton Drop and Shop/ Warwickshire County Council, Nuneaton
2001 - Memories Tapestry, Rugby West Indian Associatio, Warwickshire
Private commissions
2002 - Textile Vessels, Private Clients, Uk, Australia, France
1999 - Canvas Artwork, Liddingtons Pubs, West Midlands
1999 - Illustrator, Fife County Council, Scotland
1999 - Illustrator, Usbourne Publishing, London
1996 - Original Designer, Think Positive Textile Agency, Australia
Projects
2010 - Crafts Conservatory retail development, Rugby Art Gallery and Museum, Warwickshire
2008 - Co-ordinator, Mayday Trust Special Needs Art Group, Warwickshire
2007 - Coordinator, Pupil Regeneration Unit and Rugby Art Gallery and Museum, Warwickshire
2007 - Coordinator, Rugby Gallery Special Needs Art Group , Warwickshire
2006 - Coordinator, Craftspace and Rugby Art gallery and Museum At Home II, Warwickshire
Competitions, prizes and awards
2011 - Commended Open Entry, Leamington Spa Art Gallery and Museum, Warwickshire
2010 - Community Arts Professional Development Award, County Arts, Warwickshire County Counil
2009 - Grants for the Arts Research and Development Grant, Arts Council , West Midlands
2002 - Arts Grant, Rugby Borough Council, Warwickshire
2002 - Chelsea Crafts Fair, New Exhibitors Award Shortlist, Crafts Council, London
2002 - Creative Ambition Award, West Midlands Arts, West Midlands
Educational experience - early years
2002 - Artist in Residence, Artists in warwickshire Education, Warwickshire Schools, Warwickshire
Educational experience - primary
2011 - Creative Partnerships Eco Warriors, Castlefort JMI Primary School, Walsall
2011 - Creative Partnerships Outside Space, Priorslee Primary School, Telford
2005 - Creativity Project, Solihull Schools, West Midlands
Educational experience - tertiary
2010 - Visiting |Tutor, BA Surface Pattern, Northampton University
2000 - Painting and Drawing Tutor, Percival Guild House, Warwickshire
Educational experience - special needs
2010 - Creative Practitioner, Brooke School, Rugby, Warwickshire
2010 - Wild Things Integral Arts Day, Coleshill School Cluster, West Midlands
