| BIOGRAPHY
Statement
I am a mixed media artist with a wealth of experience in youth work,
community development and family learning, with a particular interest
in community creativity and the arts.
My
own art work practice is influenced by interconnected histories
and cultures, the multiple associations we have with each other
through the past, present and future. These associations, both positive
and negative, can be life affirming yet contradictory. I feel the
ghosts and shadows of the past leaving multiple layers of impressions,
imprints and phobias beneath the surface of our lives.
It
is this history, ancient, modern and contemporary, that I believe
shapes and influences our identity, character and attitudes, quietly
weaving its threads through today and all our futures.
I
see these influences in multiple and complex ways through facets
that are personal, political, geographical and social.
My
work over recent years has been concerned with imagery that reflects
and expresses the making and sustaining of relationships in particular
our relationship with the past and the lessons it may hold for us.
These lessons are not prescriptive, but a suggestion that one might
reflect on the past and learn from it!
The
imagery that I currently create has its origins in old photographs/documents,
newspaper cutting, books, the human form and particular objects
that give me a sense of history and spirituality, a connection with
the ancestors whether yours or mine.
My work will often reflect collections, repetition and lines, both
complex and simple. Harmony, discord and the striving for a sense
of equilibrium within both self and society are important to me
and are often present in the process, the finished work and my space
my work. I use a variety of materials and processes but usually
in a limited palette.
Background
Sept
1979 to Dec 2006
Over
27 years working as a professionally qualified Youth and Community
Development worker within the voluntary and statutory sectors providing
learning and development opportunities for all ages. A large majority
of these opportunities have been devised and developed around the
cultural and creative arts, including:
Carnivals
Dance & drama productions
Graffiti Art
Wall murals
Children’s arts and crafts
Traditional/cultural crafts
Family Learning workshops in creativity
Community newspapers
Creative campaigning
Sept
1998 to May 2009
Summer
1998 was the year I decided to look to my own creative development
and joined the University of Nottingham as a part-time undergraduate
student to read visual arts and over the next eight years obtained
the following:
Sept 2000 Certificate in Higher Education (Visual Arts)
Sept 2003 Diploma in Higher Education (Visual Arts) Distinction
Sept 2006 BA (Hons) Visual Arts First Class
On
December 31st 2006 I relinquished my career within Adult Learning,
Youth Work and the field of Community Development, in order to concentrate
on my own art.
In
November 2007 I joined Harrington Mill Studios and became an active
member, participating in Nottingham Open Studio events during 2007/8
Holder
of an enhanced CRB certificate
During
the last 2½ years I have furthered my creative skills with
the Leicester Print Workshop, East Midland School of Social Entrepreneurs
and Nottingham University. During this time participating in several
Family Learning arts sessions with Leicestershire County Council,
Exhibitions
2000
‘Peace’ an exhibition to celebrate the UN year of Peace
- Joint curator and 4 works exhibited
Nottingham University.
2001
Joint Curator, exhibition of photographs and educational images
for ‘Caribbean Showcase’ Royal Festival Hall, London.
2004
Works exhibited. Open Summer Exhibition
Djanogly Art Gallery, Lakeside Arts. Nottingham
2004
Work Exhibited, Cedric Ford Lifelong Learning Art Exhibition, Nottingham
University.
2006
Curator photographic exhibition @ Leicestershire Arts in Education,
‘Caribbean Carnival Arts’ summer school.
2006
Work Exhibited Summer Exhibition, Djanogly Art Gallery, Lakeside
Arts, Nottingham
2006/7
Work Exhibited, Leicester City Gallery ‘Open 18’
2007
West End Gallery, Aldershot, work exhibited in the Women’s
Work Exhibition, ‘Identity’
2008
Publicity design for Jamaica Ochio Rios International Jazz Festival
2008
Works Exhibited Summer exhibition Djanogly gallery, Nottingham
2008
Works exhibited Leicester City Open, City gallery
2009
The Beetroot Tree, Work Exhibited
2009
Solo Exhibition May 4th – June 1st ‘Emissaries from
the Past’
Harrington Mill Studios
|