Artist statement
For the past few years I have been revisiting two techniques that I’ve previously used in box making: inkle weaving (straps) and braid making (lid stays). I’ve also continued to experiment with a variety of wrapping and binding techniques, for example: button making.
My work is minimalist, a unique combination of research, art/textiles and box-making. Sometimes, my research uncovers an underlying political, social or historical issue and, when it does, the issue may become the focus of the piece. At other times, humour plays a part.
My goal is to blend concept and content as simply as possible. I’d like the viewer’s fingers to tingle with delight, not because the work is beautiful to look at but because it has been beautifully resolved and has integrity.
My current project focuses on the links between sporting achievements and artistic achievements. The piece is called 100 Metres Dash. It is an intricately designed and hand-woven braid in the colours of the Olympic symbol which measures 100 metres in length.
Running alongside the creation of the braid, I compiled notes which have been written as though I were an athlete training to compete in the 100 metres dash.
The finished piece (the legacy) is: the braid itself wound on to a large spool; and a booklet and DVD record of the project.
Current and forthcoming events
- June - July 2013: Small Talk, The Constance Howard Gallery, Goldsmiths University, Deptford (more info)
Qualifications and training
- 2002 First Class Bachelor of Arts with Honours, University of Chichester, West Sussex
Solo exhibitions
- 2003 The Pavement Works Collection, Otter Gallery, West Sussex
Group exhibitions
- 2012 Package Tour, Knitting and Stitching Show, London, Dublin, Harrogate (more info)
- 2012 62 @ 50, The Holden Gallery, Manchester (more info)
- 2012 Worthing Open Houses, Martin Studios, Worthing (more info)
- 2012 Interventions: The 62 Group responses to the Gallery of Costume and its collections, Manchester Gallery of Costume, Manchester (more info)
- 2011 100 Metres Dash Open Training Session (1 Day Only at The Knitting & Stitching Show), Alexandra Palace, London (more info)
- 2011 Worthing Open Houses, Martin Studios, 1 Windsor Road, Worthing (more info)
- 2011 At a Tangent: Textiles by The 62 Group, Gallery Oldham, Oldham (more info)
- 2010 Worthing Open Houses, Martin Studios, Worthing, West Sussex
- 2010 Bending More Lines, The Collins Gallery, Glasgow (more info)
- 2010 The 62 Group of Textile Artists, Museum Rijswijk, Rijswijk (more info)
- 2009 Braid Society Biennial Exhibition, Sir Kenneth Green Library, MMU, Manchester (more info)
- 2009 Worthing Open Houses and Gardens, New Parade and Martin Studios, West Sussex (more info)
- 2009 Bending the Line, The Hub, Sleaford (more info)
- 2008 Size Matters, Rochester Art Gallery and Craft Case, Rochester (more info)
- 2008 Waterhouse Natural History Art Prize Exhibition, South Australian Museum, Adelaide, South Australia (more info)
- 2008 Mirror for the 21st Century, BECA Gallery, New Orleans (more info)
- 2008 Stuff: Textiles by The 62 Group, Catmose Gallery, Rutland (more info)
- 2007 Textile Gallery, Knitting and Stitching Show, Birmingham, London, Dublin, Harrogate
- 2007 Brighton Festival Fringe, Martin Studios, West Sussex
- 2007 Worthing Open House, New Parade, West Sussex
- 2006 Tracing Threads, Hove Museum & Art Gallery, East Sussex
- 2006 Mezze, a feast of food inspired art, The Beetroot Tree, Draycott, Derbyshire
- 2005 Worthing Open, Worthing Museum & Art Gallery, West Sussex
- 2005 Encounters, University Museum of Zoology, Cambridge
- 2004 Of Material Concern, Millennium Galleries, Sheffield
- 2004 Games and Pastimes, Sherborne House, Dorset
- 2003 In Place, The Harley Gallery, Welbeck, Worksop, Nottinghamshire
- 2003 Cracks in the Empirical Pavement, Phoenix Gallery, Brighton
- 2002 Exposure, the pick of the very best New Graduates in Fine Art and Craft, The Beatrice Royal Contemporary Art Gallery, Eastleigh, Hampshire
- 2002 Fresh art, Business Design Centre, London
- 2002 Road Works, Worthing Museum & Art Gallery, West Sussex
- 2001 Coast, Artsway, Sway, Hampshire
- 2000 Arttextiles 2, the second major survey of British artists working with textiles, Bury St Edmunds Art Gallery (touring to March 2002), Suffolk
- 1999 Urban Romantics, The Bargate Centre, Southampton
Degree shows
- 2000 The Pavement Works Collection, University of Chichester, West Sussex
Artist talks
- 2012 Fields of Vision - a conference of the arts in sport, Headingley Carnegie Stadium, Leeds (more info)
- 2012 Pechakucha Night Chichester, Pallant House Gallery, Chichester (more info)
- 2003 An Intuitive Journey, Otter Gallery, West Sussex
- 2003 Presentation - part and parcel of the work, Northbrook College, West Sussex
Competitions, prizes and awards
- 2002 The Northam Prize for Academic Excellence, University of Chichester, West Sussex
- 1999 Bishop Otter Trustees Award - overall winner, University of Chichester, West Sussex
- 1998 Bishop Otter Trustees Award - Mixed Media, University of Chichester, West Sussex
- 1997 Bishop Otter Trustees Award - Textiles, University of Chichester, West Sussex
