Artist Statement
Living and working in an area of outstanding natural beauty in Cumbria, I am influenced by the beauty and majesty of the landscape that surrounds me. More recently my work aims to comment on the crisis we face regarding Climate Change and the detrimental effects of our consumerism. I have begun to explore materials in the landscape to paint the landscape. Peat, moss, elderberry and rosehip are applied to a strong paper to create an abstract landscape where the whole experience of being in the landscape is developed on the surface. I also apply non recyclable plastics as paint as a total contrast to this, to ask the viewer to consider where our plastic goes once we have finished with it.
I was Artist in Residence at Rydal Mount and Gardens, Cumbria from 2019 to 2020. Working in what was William Wordsworth's home and gardens was a real privilege and his interest in and passion for the environment has greatly influenced my work.
Exhibitions
2020
October 17th & 18th
Pop up exhibition and shop
Lowther Castle
Online exhibition - https://www.artsteps.com/view/5f04a5993cb17f6687ffeb95
4th July to 3rd August
The Hive, Nenthead, Cumbria. 'Landscapes of Alston Moor'
2019
5th October to 27th October
The Old Courthouse, Shap, Cumbria
22nd June to 8th August 2019
Nenthead Arts and Visitor Centre, Nenthead, Cumbria
19th August to 27th September 2019
Fitz Gallery, Keswick Museum and Gallery, Keswick, Cumbria
1st April to 10th September 2019
Ravenbridge Stores, Kirkoswald
Solo exhibition of Giclee prints from original art works
2018
Alston Aspire
Art exhibition in the North Pennines
2014
One day Only
Joint one day exhibition with Cumbrian artist and print maker Claire Bentley – Alston Police Station
2013
C-Art
Cumbria’s award winning contemporary arts festival, featuring special events, exhibitions, installations, an artists’ directory, open studios and more
2013
Alston Aspire
Art exhibition in the North Pennines
2012
Alston Aspire
Art exhibition in the North Pennines
2003
TAKS Launch
‘Through Art Keep Smiling’ exhibition to launch the charity working with Ugandan sculptor David Odwar – Oxford and Uganda
2003
Arrested Art
Open art exhibition, Bayswater, London
2002
25cm x 25cm
Exhibition where all exhibits could not exceed 25cm x 25cm, University of Northumbria, Newcastle upon Tyne
2002
Arrested Art
Open Art exhibition, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London
Art Education
2001 to 2003
Leeds Metropolitan University
MA in Contemporary Fine Art Practice
1998 to 1999
University of Leeds (Bretton Hall)
PGCE in Art and Design Secondary
1995 - 1998
University of York (University College Scarborough and affiliated to Cyprus College of Art)
BA Combined Honours in Visual Art and Art History
Community Art
Present
Market Cross Alston
Ongoing collection of art works
2019 to 2020
Artist in Residence, Rydal Mount, Rydal, Ambleside
Ongoing collection of art works
2004
Cowley Road Festival
40 foot crocodile, working with Oxford Community school and 7 primary schools in Oxford to create a festival piece to bring the whole school community together
2004
Do our Jeans Make Us Who we Are? Starworks 2004
Collaborative project with ‘The Art Room’ charity and Oxford Community School, looking at nurture versus nature, winning entrants with a final exhibition in Tate Modern, London
2003
Big Brother is Watching
Large scale installation of mono printing coupled with video and sound instillation reflecting the book ‘1984’ by George Orwell - Oxford
2003
Holocaust Memorial exhibition
A large scale installation of Giacometti inspired sculptures, sound from Wagner’s Lohengrin - Oxford