Drawing from, with and together is at the core of and catalyst for my practice.
Over extended periods I embed myself in sites, working alongside communities to consider how our “imagination demonstrates a freedom over the determinations of nature and society.” This sees me revealing and/or supporting unique, locally relevant, practical, radical, improvised responses to times of stress.
Distinct and varied outcomes are decided through the process of working and have included drawings, prints, curated exhibitions, participatory programs, websites, activity packs, flags, strategic organisational and community development. Much work is co-produced with residents, other artists, curators and academics and builds on 25 years of working to explore how meaningful opportunities to get involved with great art and culture can meet people halfway.
I have worked in places such as Farms, Fenland, The Lakes, coastal plotlands, parks, housing associations, villages, asylum seeker holding centres, prisons, museums, libraries, housing associations, Rotterdam, Venice and West Hull. Recent funders and commissioners include ACE, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Manchester Met Uni, Uni of Reading, 14/18 Now, Leeds Art Gallery, TATE, Integrated Communities Fund, Invest SK, Hull City of Culture, Lakeland Arts, The Wellcome Collection & British Council.
Recent projects include:
Encyclopedia of Us: A project to connect, support action and create outcomes with residents in West Hull leading to a co-produced newspaper.
Consequences with Metal Peterborough. Funded through the Integrated Community Fund. A project that brings together women from across Peterborough to talk about what is important to them. Delivered through co-production principles, workshops, online and postal activity. Resulting in an online exhibition and limited edition work packs
F.E.A.S.T a showcasing & discussion project at non art venues in collaboration with chefs & scientists. Developed to bring people together over locally sourced food to discuss sustainable farming, the environment and culture. Created to raise awareness about the rural in an artful way. Part funded by InvestSK.
You make me: Drawing and Heritage commission for Peterborough Presents/CP&P that saw me working closely with a Millfield family to consider their heritage and history.
Who Cares?/Centre of Attention: A commission for Lakeland Art exploring coproduction approaches across its sites and with local residents. Resulting in 3 large community meals, new printed and wall based works, a 10 week program of activity involving Kendal based groups and case study research with academic Harriet Rowley from Manchester Met.
Notice Board: ongoing international public art project hosted in my garden featuring international makers. Composing of a A2 sized Notice Board and a Flag Pole it has featured work by international makers including Ai Weiwei, Dan Wood and Mandy Payne. Supported in part by Invest SK and showcased on Home Gallery Archive website
Towards a Museum of Contemporary Farming: Intangible Heritage collecting Museum of English Rural Life & Welcome Coll.
ACE/G4A & British Council Awards to expand work at multiple sites in UK & internationally with outcomes included in John Ruskin Art Prize 2019, Reimagining Rurality published by ORO Editions/UCL, exhibitions in Rotterdam, Gdansk & Venice.
Leap of Faith for Yorkshire Sculpture Park and 14/18 Now.
I always loved you you just didnt see it at Bromley House Library and Five Leaves bookshop Nottingham.
Other notable work includes:
Why Drawing Now? Co-authored article, Journal of Arts & Communities,
Drawing commission. University of Nottingham / Glaxo Smith Kline
Drawing Paper #8. Guest Editor.
Off-site commission. Leeds Art Gallery and British Art Show
ING Discerning Eye. Finalist. Drawing Bursary. Mall Galleries. London.
New Printmakers. Clifford Chance, Canary Wharf. London
Conran Foundation Winners. Festival of Design. Conran Building. London
