I am a self-motivated textile artist working in the areas of sculptural installations, textile printing, community workshops participation and commissions with a background of theatre design working within a theatre company.
As I am an independent artist the management of time between all the areas of production – research, making, and marketing – needs to be planned. Professional training as a theatre designer instils creativity and the ability to plan and deliver on time.
Recent Exhibitions
2020 – Oxmarket Gallery Chichester showing the boats for the first time.
Commissions and projects
2012 – Stencilled summerhouse inspired by a ‘havele’ the businessman’s house in Nepal – Private commission
2011 – A collection of 3-dimensional puppet-like textile sculptures for Brackley Library with a Circus theme for Readers Challenge Week
2011 – Installation for ‘tea tent’ at Art in the Garden, Cambridge followed with a private commission for Big Bugs in the Marquee
2010 – Trompe-l’oeil –‘Leaning ‘oot the Window’ – painted window with characters – Private commission
2009 – Brackley Customer Service Offices – ‘Colour Counts’ Wall Hanging using memories of Brackley and the surrounding countryside from residents and Flora Thompson’s writings as source for the design and production.
2006 – ‘Garden Vocabulary’ – Sculpture responding to the environment in Delapre Abbey Walled Garden as part of Northampton festival
2006 – Organised event with two speakers from the business community giving their perspective of ‘Art in the Workplace’ including lunch and exhibition of my stretched textile sculptures. Chichele College, Higham Ferrers.
2005 – ‘Light Matter’ – Open University commission for suspended sculpture in The Berrill Building Made links with the university’s space science department with productive outcome using the OU Mars mission, Beagle 2 landing probe as travel reference for the sculpture.
2004 – Open Spaces Open Places, Northampton. Made site-specific sculpture for the railway station using ideas of joining and stretching cloth within its own universe.
2003 – Printed textile artefacts for Chelsea Physic Garden Fair. Researched into dermatological plants and their curing chemical ingredients for printed designs.
2003 – Two printed hangings for Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, Daniel Turner Clinic for dermatology. Involved talking to staff about methods of treatments used and finding historical evidence to anchor visual result.
2000 – Year of the Artist residency with filmmaker, Barry Hale. ‘Planes Frames and Automobiles’, Roadmender, Northampton. This collaboration used new perspectives gained from study on the MA spatial culture
1997 – Hangings for behind Philharmonia Orchestra, De Montfort Hall commissioned through City Gallery Leicester I had to produce something sophisticated but simple to comply with the budget
Workshops – Teaching
2010 – Montsaye Community School, Rothwell, Northamptonshire – Paper Hat making with year 8’s. Learning a hat has a crown, brim and top, wild and imaginative hats appeared inspiration ready for the next World Cup
2010 – Lodge Park Technical College, Corby – Creative Partnership project with year 8’s making fashion garments out of melted plastic bags with text and a filmed advert for their marketing experience
2008 – Preston Hedges Primary School’ Wootton Fields – 40 year 6’s for a two day Printing Workshop resulting in a stretched kite sculpture over their outside classroom
2008 – Loatlands Primary School Desborough – Creative Partnerships collaboration in environmental project – linked weaving (human) with nest (bird) making
2007 – Northampton High School – 90 Year 8 students to design and print pieces for suspended textile sculpture for School Entrance hall atrium. Method devised to fit limited time
2007 –Northampton Museum over 60’s group formed to experience the design process as part of Museumaker audience development.
2007 – ‘Sci-Games’ Creative Partnerships with EMDA at Moulton School, Northamptonshire. Collaboration with scientist, creative practitioner and science teacher. Lessons delivered from yr 8’s and 10’s to their peers & Primary School children – Exploring power and colour with a solar cells, motors and white light.
2006 – Castle School Primary, Northampton. Plant paper making workshops as part of ‘Art Week’ with Seahouses. Every child experienced the process and made a piece of paper/cardboard. A large art piece for their new school followed
1998 – Philharmonia Orchestra/East Midlands Shape. Textile and music project for people with learning difficulties – Leicester. Great experience allowed me to respond to abilities of others and assist in gaining the best results.
1971 – 1978 – Central School of Art & Design. Taught history of Costume and Construction to BA Theatre Design students.
Awards
2007 – Exhibition opportunity Fermynwoods Contemporary Art Gallery looking for new materials for an outside environment
2006 – Arts Council publicity grant for ‘Art in the Workplace’ Event
2003 – East Midlands Arts, Training Support and Development award for assessing what is going on in Public Art and looking at new materials.
2000 – Year of the Artist.
2000 – Djanogly Art Gallery prize. Best overall collection at their ‘Makers market’ Nottingham.
1998 – East Midlands Arts bursary.
1997 – Whitbread Business Arts Award.
Theatre productions designed for include:
1975 – School for Clowns – Director Ken Campbell for Unicorn Theatre Company.
1974 –Lear- Director Buzz Goodbody – First production at The Other Place – Stratford on Avon.
1973 – Much Ado about Nothing – Director Elijah Mochinsky – Oxford & Cambridge Shakespeare Co. USA tour.
1973 – Hollow Crown – Director John Barton – USA tour
1971 – My Foot My Tutor – Director Ronald Hayman – Open Space Theatre, London.
Graduate Education
Middlesex University – MA Spatial Culture 1999 – 2001
Central school of Art and designTheatre design CSAD 1963 – 1967