Artist statement
For the past five years, I have explored non-traditional uses of liquid porcelain, using an approach to mark making as a large part of the content of the work. The outcome has been a series of process led sculptural drawings and forms in which there is a point of transition from order to disorder, when different kinds of ordering emerge, allowing the fluidity, solidity and fragmentation which emerge during the process of making the work to show through in the final white abstract forms. In the Liminal and Lacuna series of drawings, the expressive qualities of line are explored using the fluidity of the material to create thinness, thickness, softness, hardness, fragility and strength, underscored by the cracking, warping, and fragmentation that are inherent qualities of porcelain as the material dries. The drawings do not depict a specific object or thing, but are created in the making, the work being the result of process, risk, control, chance, and the context in which the work is shown. Traditional assumptions that surround drawings, materials, and processes are reconsidered in order to explore new approaches. Risk and chance emphasise the ephemerality of the work at every stage, especially when a final performative aspect is introduced as two drawings prop each other up, moving from two to three dimensions, radically exposing the vulnerability of the work.
Qualifications and training
- 2010 Practice based PhD, Social Science, Arts and Humanities Research Institute, University of Hertfordshire
- 2002 MA Fine and Applied Art Practices (Distinction), University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield
- 1999 BA(Hons) Art and Design (1st Class), University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield
Solo exhibitions
- 2006 'Stones and Boxes', Bone China Installation (solo), Barbican Arts Centre, London
- 2000 Fragile Earth, Leighton Buzzard Theatre Gallery
Group exhibitions
- 2011 Trans-Siberian Travelling Art Exhibition, Trans-Siberian Arts Centre, Moscow - Beijing
- 2010 'Wish you Were Here', Bath Spa University Gallery, Weston Super Mare
- 2010 Research Showcase, University of Hertfordshire Gallery, Hatfield
- 2009 Drawing Through Process, UH Galleries, Hatfield
- 2009 'Drawn In', Sidcot Arts Centre, Winscombe, Somerset
- 2008 Drawing on Experience, WM Gallery, Chicago, USA
- 2007 The Daily Draw, The Pitt Studio and Gallery, Worcester, UK
- 2006 Artist's Book Fair, Insitute of Contemporary Arts, London
- 2005 Porcelain and Bone China Installation (two person exhibition), Ronald Pile Gallery, Ely
- 2004 MA Exhibition, U H Galleries, Hatfield
- 2004 Bookworks (group exhibition), Houseroom Gallery, Bath
- 2002 'Journeys', Faculty of Art and Design, Hatfield
- 2002 New Designers, Business Design Centre, Islington
- 2001 ifree art, Bromham Mill Gallery, Bedford
- 2001 Winter Exhibition, The Mall Galleries, London
Curated projects
- 2008 'Her Mark 2009', WM Gallery, Chicago, USA
Artist talks
- 2010 Critical Dialogue Public Lecture Series, Visual Literacy, Critical Enquiry, UH Galleries, Hatfield, Hertfordshire
- 2008 Visual Literacy Conference, University of North Texas, Dallas, USA
- 2007 A Critical Approach to Process in Practice, ICMEA International Conference, Fuping Art Village, Xian, China
- 2007 New Craft Future Voices, International Conference, Published Conference Paper, Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, Dundee, Scotland (more info)
- 2007 SSAHRI Showcase, Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities Research Institute, Hatfield, Herts
- 2006 Contemporary Writing for the Ceramic Arts, Conference Paper, International Ceramics Studio, Kecskemet, Hungary
Residencies
- 2000 Festival Banners 2000, Bedford Museum, Bedford http://www.museumeducation.bedford.gov.uk/pages/update.html (more info)
Educational experience - secondary
- 2004 ARTSCOOL!, Faculty of Art and Design, Hatfield Herts (more info)
- 2003 ARTSCOOL!, Faculty of Art and Design, Hatfield
Educational experience - tertiary
- 2011 Visiting Lecturer, Critical and Cultural Studies, School of Creative Arts, University of Hertfordshire (more info)
Site specific
- 2008 Art Below, Euston Underground Station, London
- 2000 Codices/ Caroline Bartlett, Cathedral Grounds, Bury St. Edmunds (more info)
- 2000 Snowballs in Summer (Andy Goldsworthy), Barbican Arts Centre, Streets of City of London (more info)
Publications
- 2011 Process, Practice, Discourse: A Critical Approach to Contemporary Ceramic Art Practice. Publisher, VDM Verlag. ISBN 978-3-639-34555-1
- 2009 Power to Empowerment, Critical Literacy in Visual Culture (USA)
- 2008 'Her Mark 2009' (USA)
- 2008 ICMEA 2007 (China)
- 2008 D'A (Italy)
- 2007 New Craft Future Voices (Scotland, UK)
Web links - article/press
