Over the last ten years I have been making large scale, mandala-like Spirograph drawings. The series of works continues to grow; like the obsessive process itself, it is difficult to stop despite the harm that such a repetitive action has on my body. In the most recent Spirograph drawings the single cell-like structures begin to morph into each other, join and split creating new shapes and patterns
Over the last ten years I have been making large scale, mandala-like Spirograph drawings. The series of works continues to grow; like the obsessive process itself, it is difficult to stop despite the harm that such a repetitive action has on my body. In the most recent Spirograph drawings the single cell-like structures begin to morph into each other, join and split creating new shapes and patterns in the space between the forms. This in turn has led to a new series of paintings and collages where I have started to investigate, in a more conscious and systematic manner, the underlying principles of mathematics and geometry. Complex kaleidoscopic forms hover on gesso panels while everyday materials, such as Tip-ex, graph paper and envelopes are re-worked, drawing attention to the unexpected beauty and order found in the things around us.
Qualifications and training
2014-2010 AHRC Practice based PhD, MIRIAD (NWCDTP award holder), Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester
1999 - 2001 - MA Fine Art, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester
1993 - 1995 - MA History of Art, Goldsmith's College, University of London
1987 - 1989 - BA (Hons) Fine Art, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham
1985 - 1987 - Dip (HE) Art & Design in a Social Context, Dartington College of Arts
Solo Exhibitions
2010 All the Small Things, Grosvenor Museum & Art Gallery, Chester
2008 Hypotrochoids, Hive Gallery, Barnsley
2008 Reach, The Chapman Gallery, Salford
2008 Time and Time Again, Touchstones, Rochdale
2007 Going Straight, The Otter Gallery, Chichester
2006 Tutti Fruitti, BLOCspace, Sheffield
2003 Turning Circle, Taxi Gallery, Cambridge
Exhibitions
2015
Compression Culture, Benzie Building, Manchester School of Art.
Carbon meets Silicon, Expo event, Oriel Sycharth Gallery, Wales.
Wanderlust; To Pernik With Love, Water Tower Arts Festival, Bulgaria.
[detail], The Usher Gallery, Lincoln.
Manifest, Manchester International Festival, Suite Open Studios.
SLIPPAGE: The Unstable Nature of Difference, Contemporary Art Space Chester (CASC).
2014
(detail), H-Project Space, Bangkok and Transition Gallery, London.
Beauty is the First Test, The National Craft Gallery, Kilkenny, Ireland & Platform Gallery, Clitheroe.
The Drawing Show, Castlefield Gallery, Manchester.
2013
Beauty is the First Test (touring show), The Pumphouse Gallery, London; R-Space, Linen Rooms, Northern Ireland; NCCD, Sleaford; Bliston Craft Gallery, Wolverhampton.
The Infinity Show, NN , Northampton.
Above and Below, Yarangall Farm, Cheshire.
2012
Fixation, Wolstenholme Creative Space, Liverpool.
Into the Woods, Alvanley Cliff Woods, Cheshire.
2011
Cornerhouse Projects, Suite Studios, Manchester.
2010
4 Degrees, Cube Gallery, Manchester.
Above The Serious, Stoke Newington Library, London.
At Play 2, South Hill Park, Berkshire.
AXIS curated show, Arts Council England, London.
Lines of Desire, Oriel Davies Gallery, Newtown, Wales.
Making Marks, Touchstones Gallery, Rochdale.
The Affordable Art Fair, Alicia David Contemporary Art, London, Brussels & New York.
The Conversation, Newton Church, Chester.
The Drawing Shed, Project Space Leeds, (PSL).
The Jerwood Drawing Prize, Jerwood Space, London (& touring).
Wish You Were Here; An Exploration into Drawing & Journeys, Bath Spa University Gallery, Weston-super-Mare.
2009
A42D, Bloc Space, Sheffield.
Encounter, Novas , Liverpool.
FRINGEMK, Catalogue Finalist, Milton Keynes.
Grosvenor Open (Prizewinner), Grosvenor Museum , Chester.
Pattern Recognition, The City Gallery, Leicester.
Sale, The Royal Standard, Liverpool.
Superabundant - Pattern in Contemporary Art, Turner Contemporary, Margate.
Wrexham Open (Prizewinner; Best Professional), Oriel Wrecsam, Wales.
2008
Present, Hive Gallery, Barnsley.
The Baltic Frame, Arena Gallery, Liverpool Biennial.
2007
Repeat Repeat: Negotiated Positions, University College Chester, Chester.
2006
Multiples, LOT, Bristol.
Wall to Wall, VINEspace, Vyner Street, London.
2004
Pizza Express Prospects, Tea Building, London.
Remote Control, Angel Row Gallery, Nottingham.
We Go Round and Round in the Night and are Consumed by Fire, Terminal Warehouse, New York and Liverpool Biennial.
2003
Thermo 03, The Lowery, Salford.
2002
Mostyn 12, Oriel Mostyn Gallery, Llandudno.
Bloombergs New Contemporaries, The Barbican, London & Static, Liverpool.
2001
All Colours Will Agree in the Dark, Cornerhouse, Manchester.
Competitions, prizes and awards
2015 NWCDTP Student Development Fund, Istanbul Design Centre and Princes School of Traditional Arts, London: research study trips
2014 North West Consortium Doctoral Training Partnership (NWCDTP) PhD Studentship
2014 ACE Funding, Small Grants to the Arts, Curation of Slippage: The Unstable Nature of Difference, Contemporary Art Space Chester
2010 The Jerwood Drawing Prize (finalist), The Jerwood Space, London
2004 Michael Gourley Award, MAFA Open, Manchester
2004 Pizza Express Prospects, (Finalist), Tea Building, London
2003 Beck's Futures, (nominated), ICA, London
2002 Bloombergs New Contemporaries, The Barbican, London &, Static, Liverpool
