Artist statement
My practice straddles the boundaries between fine art and making. With a background in textiles I am interested in the connection of materials and process to wider issues and the conceptual. The resulting pieces take the form of mixed media assemblages, constructed wall pieces and installations comprising multiple units.
Working methods begin with thorough research followed by experimental sampling. Ideas are explored by working directly with materials, utilising their intrinsic qualities for the potential to evoke associations. Techniques used are varied as textile elements are combined with a diverse range of unorthodox media. Materials, processes and the method of construction are selected as carriers of ideas.
Investigation into the marginalisation of textile practice led to questioning the role and function of boundaries. The ensuing body of work makes reference to boundaries between art and craft, boundaries between genres, boundaries between men and women’s work, and boundaries in the landscape.
Current work reflects my concerns for the environment, in particular the impact of human activity on nature. My main interest is the threat to biodiversity. Focus is on the small, overlooked life forms that are in danger of extinction because of the destruction of their habitats due to change of land use. The pieces allude to the vulnerability and fragility of nature. A consequence of this work has been the development of small format artworks that explore the possibilities of concentrating ideas into a miniature size.
Qualifications and training
- 2007 MSDC, Society of Designer Craftsmen, London
- 2003 MA Fine Art, University College Chester
- 2001 Certificate of Advanced Studies in Art, University College Chester
- 1999 BTEC HNC Stitched and Constructed Textiles, West Cheshire College, Chester
- 1998 City and Guilds Creative Studies - Embroidery Parts 1 and 2, West Cheshire College, Chester
- 1986 BEd Hons, Chester College of Higher Education
Group exhibitions
- 2013 Cabinets of Curiosities and Room of Wonder, The Borough Museum & Art Gallery, Newcastle-under-Lyme (more info)
- 2012 Package Tour, Harrogate International Centre, Harrogate (more info)
- 2012 Package Tour, RDS, Dublin (more info)
- 2012 Package Tour, Alexandra Palace, London (more info)
- 2012 62@50, Farfield Mill, Sedburgh (more info)
- 2012 62@50, The Holden Gallery, Manchester (more info)
- 2012 Interventions, Gallery of Costume, Platt Hall, Manchester
- 2011 7th International Biennial of Textile Miniatures, Arka Gallery, Vilnius, Lithuania (more info)
- 2011 7 Strands, Gate Gallery and Grimsby Minster, Grimsby (more info)
- 2011 VI WTA International Biennial of Contemporary Textile Art - Air, The Ramon Alva de la Canal Gallery of the University of Veracruz, Xalapa, Mexico (more info)
- 2011 Sofia International Paper Art Biennial 2011, National Gallery of Foreign Art, Sofia, Bulgaria (more info)
- 2010 International Biennial Miniature Art (Finalists), Museum of Contemporary Art Latino-American de la Plata (MACLA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- 2010 International Biennial Miniature Art (Finalists), House of Commons, Ottawa, Canada
- 2010 Cartasia Biennial of Contemporary Art, Cavallerizza, Lucca, Italy
- 2010 Bending More Lines, Collins Gallery, Glasgow
- 2010 International Biennial Miniature Art 2010, Salle Augustin-Chenier, Ville-Marie, Quebec, Canada
- 2010 Amateras Annual Mini Paper Art Exhibition 2010, Art Alley Gallery, Sofia, Bulgaria
- 2010 The 62 Group of Textile Artists, Museum Rijswijk, Rijswijk, Netherlands
- 2010 Made To Fit, The Willis Museum, Basingstoke (more info)
- 2009 Bending the Line, The Hub National Centre for Craft & Design, Sleaford (more info)
- 2009 Bowland - An Inspirational Landscape, The Platform Gallery, Clitheroe (more info)
- 2009 Moving On, Upfront Gallery, Nr Penrith (more info)
- 2008 Size Matters, Rochester Art Gallery & Craft Case, Rochester (more info)
- 2008 The Foyle Trust Award Winners Exhibition, Forge Mill Needle Museum, Redditch (more info)
- 2008 Considered Matter, Mid Pennine Gallery, Burnley (more info)
- 2008 Stuff: contemporary textiles by the 62 Group, Catmose Gallery, Oakham (more info)
- 2008 Healing, Norton Priory Museum & Gardens, Runcorn (more info)
- 2008 Designer Crafts 2008, Mall Galleries, London (more info)
- 2007 62 Group, Textile Gallery, Knitting & Stitching Show, Birmingham, London, Dublin, Harrogate
- 2007 Abstract Construction, The Beetroot Tree, Draycott, Derbyshire (more info)
- 2007 You Are Here, The Kitchen Gallery, Runcorn (more info)
- 2007 Square Route, Blackburne House, Liverpool (more info)
- 2007 Stitched Up, Crescent Arts, Scarborough, N.Yorks
- 2006 E Squared, Royal Cambrian Academy, Conway
- 2006 Expressions, The Brindley, Runcorn
- 2006 Tracing Threads, New work by the 62 Group of Textile Artists, Hove Museum & Art Gallery, Hove, East Sussex
- 2006 Art of the Stitch, RWA, Bristol; The Hub, Sleaford, Williamson Art Gallery & Museum, Birkenhead
- 2006 E Squared, Upfront Gallery, Cumbria
- 2005 Showcase, The Maria Louisa Gallery, Liverpool
- 2005 In the Square, Cajobah Gallery, Birkenhead
- 2004 The Hard with the Soft, Cajobah Gallery, Birkenhead (2 person exhibition)
- 2004 Consequences, Upfront Gallery, Cumbria
- 2002 A Time and a Place, Upfront Gallery, Cumbria
- 2001 Affordable Art Fair, London (with Beatrice Royal Gallery)
- 2001 Art of the Stitch, Mall Galleries, London; Williamson Art Gallery, Birkenhead
- 2001 Madeira Show, Harrogate
- 2001 Open Art Exhibition, Grosvenor Museum, Chester
- 2000 Affordable Art Fair, London (with Beatrice Royal Gallery)
- 2000 Connections: Africa's West Coast, The Beetroot Tree, Draycott, Derbyshire
- 2000 Progressions, Yale Memorial Art Gallery, Wrexham
- 2000 Riches of Stitches, Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry
- 2000 Spring Showcase, Beatrice Royal Contemporary Art & Craft Gallery, Hampshire
- 2000 New Horizons, Forge Mill Needle Museum, Redditch
- 1999 Graduate Showcase, Knitting & Stitching Show, Alexandra Palace, London; RDS, Dublin; Main Halls, Harrogate
- 1999 Open Exhibition, Drumcroon Arts Centre, Wigan
- 1997 City & Guilds Showcase, National Needlecraft Show, Olympia, London
Competitions, prizes and awards
- 2010 Grand Prize AMATERAS Annual Mini Paper Art Exhibition, Art Alley Gallery, Sofia, Bulgaria
- 2010 Honourable Mention, International Biennial Miniature Art, Salle Augustin-Chenier, Ville-Marie, Canada
- 2000 Main Award winner, Charles Henry Foyle Trust Award for Stitched Textiles
- 1999 Embroiderers' Guild Graduate Showcase, The Knitting & Stitching Shows
- 1996 City and Guilds Medal of Excellence for Creative Studies Embroidery Part 1
Publications
- 2012 Radical Thread, 1962-2012: The 62 Group of Textile Artists celebrate 50 years at the forefront of Innovation and Creativity
- 2010 Art Buzz Collection 2010
- 2009 Bending the Line Catalogue
- 2008 Designer Crafts at the Mall Catalogue
- 2007 62 Group Knitting & Stitching CD Catalogue
- 2006 Art of the Stitch Catalogue
- 2006 Tracing Threads CD Catalogue, 62 Group
- 2000 New Horizons Catalogue, The Foyle Trust
- 1998 City & Guilds Calendar
