Approved: 08.02.2019

Shelley Morrow

Artist, Maker, Teacher

Approved: 08.02.2019

My artwork examines social, political and cultural issues and explores the position that these occupy within contemporary fine art.

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Artist Statement

My artwork examines social, political and cultural issues and explores the position that these occupy within contemporary fine art.

Engaging with subjects such as poverty, homelessness, feminism and the plight of garment workers, my work often uses media suggested by the subject matter itself.

Embroidery and textiles are frequently referenced in my work because of their historical and contemporary connection to politics and also because these media can challenge notions of domesticity and decorativeness in relation to Fine Art.

In 2017, I constructed a patchwork blanket consisting of 1,138 used clothes labels that represented the number of garment workers who died in the Rana Plaza Complex, Bangladesh 2013. The piece was titled #whomademyclothes which came from the hashtag used in connection with the organisation Fashion Revolution who campaign for greater transparency in the garment industry. It has been exhibited in various places and was selected for the Columbia Threadneedle Prize exhibition 2018.

More recently, Division III consisting of worn sewing machine bobbins with gold leaf and real gold thread is based on social division and income inequality and was selected for the MA and other Postgraduates exhibition at the Atkinson Gallery 2018.

I am drawn towards traditional Japanese Aesthetics, the appreciation of the imperfect and impermanence. I am currently practising Sashiko, a form of embroidery, inspired by items of Japanese Boro I have seen and researched. Repairing and mending is the basis of my developing work.

CV & Education

Education

2016 – 2018 University of Brighton, MA Fine Art

1987 – 1990 Camberwell School of Art, BA(Hons) Fine Art Sculpture

1986 – 1987 Brighton Polytechnic, Foundation

Experience

2018 – Member of the Society of Designer Craftsmen 

2018 – current Drawing Tutor Context Travel Company London

2015 – 2017  Drawing Tutor Camden Arts Centre

2011 – current Co-founder of Draw, Life drawing classes in Brighton

2010 - current Self Employed

2009 – 2010 Resource Assistant, University of Brighton

2001 – 2009 Senior Library Assistant, East Sussex County Council

1990 – Full time Mother

Exhibitions

2018 – Open Studios, New England House, Brighton

2018 – MA Fine Art Show, University of Brighton

2018 – A Whiff of F.Art, Brighton MAFA students, Hove

2018 – MA & Other Postgraduates Exhibition, Atkinson Gallery, Somerset

2018 – Columbia Threadneedle Prize, Mall Galleries, London

2017 – Spring Show, Artwave West Gallery, Dorset

2017 – Interim MA fine Art Show, University of Brighton

2017 - Works On Paper Fair, Whitley Art Gallery, Science Museum, London

2016 – East Sussex Open, Towner Art Gallery, Eastbourne

2016 – Autumn Show, Artwave West Gallery, Dorset

2016 – Works on Paper Fair, Whitley Art Gallery, Science Museum, London

2015 – Brighton Art Fair

2015 – Pure Autumn Art Fair, Pure Arts Group, Battle, East Sussex

2015 – Summer Show, Artwave West Gallery, Dorset

2015 - Works on Paper Fair, Whitley Art Gallery, Science Museum, London

2015 – Paper|Couture, Birley Centre, Eastbourne

2014 – Life Lines, Worthing Museum

2013 - Pure Autumn Art Fair, Pure Arts Group, Battle, East Sussex

2013 - ING Discerning Eye, Mall Galleries, London

2010 – 2018 Artists Open Huses, Brighton

2010 – Paper and Stone, Hop Gallery, Lewes, Sussex