about
My work is characterised by a spirit of experimentation with materials, a joy in creativity and an exploration of the processes of making art.
I mostly paint but also make sculpture, artefacts and constructions – something that goes back to my childhood spent scratch-building models from waste cardboard packaging. I also collaborate with other artists on projects and initiatives to take the adventure of making art to communities and people of all ages, see – ArtSpark. In addition the role of creativity in personal and collective well-being and health has long been of interest and has formed the basis of my charity involvement for over 20 years – see Arts Together.
My paintings often begin with collage; cardboard, paper, old photographs and other discarded ephemera. These bring with them their own stories and histories which I am able to rework and thus create new imagery. However, painting for me is a limitless process of discovery and the unearthing of images, so often the origins of an artwork may be obscured and lost in the final piece.
When working on sculptures I am seeking a direct rawness through the use of cheap, ordinary and repurposed materials. Fragility and a sense of transience are implicit and I have a preference for materials that evoke notions of brokenness, decay and disintegration but that also suggest hope and change.
I have a reluctance to explain the meaning behind what I make – the materials and their use, along with any imagery, tell their own story. What is relevant to me may not resonate with you. I believe that we all carry our own stories and meanings within us and bring those to artworks whatever the artist may have intended.
If you wish to enquire about any of my work, ask a question or make a purchase then please get in touch by email or through social media.
Thank you
Education/Training
BA Fine Art with Drawing, Oxford Brookes University
HND (Distinction) Community Arts, City of Bath College
Foundation in Art Therapy, City of Bath College
Awards, residencies
Brisons Veor – Artist residency and retreat, Cornwall
National Sculpture Prize – Special Commendation, Broomhill Sculpture Foundation, Devon
Althea Wynne Bursary Award. – 2nd Prize
Cill Rialaig – Artist residency and retreat, Ireland
Aesthetica Art Prize – top 100 selected artists
AA2A – Artists Access to Art Colleges – Artist in residence at City of Bath College
Arts Council Award – Investment in Artists
Arts Council – Year of the Artist Award
Selected Group Exhibitions
The Fletcher Exhibit of socially and politically engaged art, Reece Museum, Tennessee
Royal Academy – Summer Exhibition
Election Art – 50 artworks over 50 days on Twitter and Facebook (collaboration with Julia Warin)
Fringe Arts Bath – Winner of Open Prize (collaboration with Julia Warin)
Sculpture in the Garden – West Lavington Manor, Wiltshire
Sketch – Rabley Drawing Centre, Marlborough, Black Swan Arts, Frome & Plymouth College of Art
National Sculpture Prize, Broomhill Sculpture Foundation, Devon
Off the Wall, Pound Arts Centre, Corsham & Young Gallery, Salisbury
Void Open 2013 – sculpture. Hoxton, London
Aesthetica Art Prize – York St Mary’s, York
Place of Departure – Curated group exhibition exploring landscape. 44AD, Bath
MoCA – Museum of Contemporary Art, Pop-up Gallery, Bradford on Avon (collaboration with Julia Warin)
Open Empty Spaces – Newport Market, Wales (collaboration with Julia Warin)
Pound Arts Open – 2nd prize. Pound Arts Centre, Corsham
Location – Open Exhibition. Quay Arts Centre, Isle of Wight
Messages – Study Gallery of Modern Art, Poole (collaboration with Julia Warin)
A-mart – The Art Supermarket. Ale & Porter Arts, Bradford on Avon. Artist multiples
Plan 9/LOT – Multiples Exhibition, Bristol. Artist multiples
Into the Light – Hotbath Gallery, Bath. BANA group show. Paintings
Objects of Desire – The Old Grocers Shop, Bath
Journeys to the Edge – Bradford on Avon Station & Library, Mulberry Gallery, Weymouth, Banbury Museum, Oxfordshire