About
Over extended periods and through a variety of formal and social means I consider and promote how individuals and communities care, respond and improvise in relation to a natural and/or societal stress. Potentially philosophical, but more political, it draws attention to the freedom of the imagination to transcend determinations, and reveals what is urgent. A desire to support, bear witness and reveal how we cope, imagine and acclimatise underpins this practice. I embed myself in places, often over long periods and the work begins in the personal encounters, conversations, interventions, workshops and archival research I initiate. This person-centred, site-responsive, approach allows for a deep connection resulting in drawings, photographs, prints, curated events, community/organisational development and exhibitions in varied sites. Much of this work sees me co-producing outcomes with individuals, groups, artists, curators and academics.
I have worked with organisations such as Yorkshire Sculpture Park, METAL Peterborough, Manchester Met University, University of Reading, The Wellcome Collection, British Council, Lakeland Arts, Tate and Hull City of Culture to work in places such as my family farm, a library, Yorkshire council estate, a women’s prison, Hull, a caravan park, Venice, a museum handling collection and asylum seekers charity.
I lead and curate The Notice Board a contemporary visual art project showcasing the work of international artists in 2 public venues in Uffington, Lincolnshire. Featuring month-long exhibitions on the theme The Lands of the Free? the project aims to connect audiences to the work of artists whilst offering unusual alternative sites for artist to showcase work. The sites are a A2 sized Notice Board and a Flag Pole hosted in my garden.
I am currently commissioned by Lakeland Arts, Cumbria to develop a co-produced artwork with Abbott Hall Gallery staff, local individuals and community organisations. Researcher Dr Harriet Rowley of MMU is the project partner.
Recent and ongoing work includes a commission for Peterbrough Presents: My true intent is all for your delight resulting in a series of 20 large-scale flags, developed with 2 communities, to be sited across the city during the summer of 2019; an extended Residency at Foundation B.a.d in Rotterdam; Being from Knowing, a year long investigation into 4 sites in Eastern England funded by ACE; Artist Investigator for Brignall Trust, Hull, You Complete Me for MERL University of Reading and The Wellcome Collection, 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.
A chapter I've written features in the new book Reimagining Rurality and in 2017 I was part of Migrations International Residency and received a St Hugh’s Foundation award.
Other notable recent work includes:
Shortlisted Artist. John Ruskin Drawing Prize. 2019
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
