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Artist’s Statement
My art practice explores the stories we tell ourselves to make sense of the complicated and awe-inspiring world we live in – whether through religion, philosophy or science. This tension is expressed in the materials used, whether taut threads of yarn in Between Materials and Mechanisms, (2016), like a loom under tension, or unravelling structures in Indevelopment, (2008).
The work uses the language of textiles. This manifests in the tension across fibres to maintain their structures; small vessels like baskets which nurture, contain and hold; fabric and yarn folding, wrapping, (as captured in the Baroque, such as Bernini’s statue of St Theresa of Avila); knots, such as in large undulating fishing nets, unravelling as tensions dissipate. The work reveals the dynamic complexities of life’s entanglements through abstract drawings and sculptures.
The use of textiles and everyday materials aligns with my interest in womanhood. Drawings of ribbons, such as in the Belief Series, (2020). They are intentionally feminine; embracing this delicate, subtle strength. I take inspiration from powerful and pioneering women who inhabit these qualities.
I draw on philosophies and stories, whether from science, statistics or histories of women in the Catholic church. I excavate alternative stories about knowledge assumptions, and challenging us to ask questions, and embrace positive change.
Art practice: Interviews, text and film
Interview for Degree Show Catalogue, Leeds University (page 13 – 15)
What is Drawing For? Loughborough University Drawing Journal. An essay by Elizabeth Murton
Core Gallery Interview Series by Chantelle Purcell, A Theory of Everything Exhibition,
This film was created in 2016 by R&A Collaborations as part of the Arts Council Funded Between Materials and Mechanisms project.
This cross disciplinary project explored notions of connective tissue – in the body and gallery space – through the language of textiles. Inviting us to think again about this often overlooked but essential fibre, and also asking how it might relate to architecture and the spaces we inhabit.
I have been a practicing artist since graduating from Goldsmiths in 2006. I am interested in the stories we tell ourselves to make sense of the complex and entangled world we live in – hence working on cross-disciplinary, art-science projects as well as residencies and exhibitions. I work in a creative and dynamic way – researching, drawing, crafting materials, talking with project partners and engaging people through events.
CV
Current and News
2023- Weaving The Universe, performance Lecture, ALL Tenth. Quip&Curiosity, Cambridge
2023- EOP Summer Camp Exhibition, Birmingham
2023 – Expanded Weaving workshops across the UK
Education
2001 – 2002 Psychology and Italian (120 credits) Lancaster University
2003 – 2006 BA Textiles, Visual Arts (Hons) Goldsmiths College, University of London
2011 – Modern Philosophy module, Birkbeck, University of London
Select Exhibitions and Commissions
2023 – Spaces, Places curated by NOHAT, Letchworth Broadway
2022 – Fluid Time, Mill Green Museum, Hertfordshire
2019 – 1 of 9 cross-disciplinary artist/researcher projects selected for Stage 1 funding: Trellis UCL
2019 – Weaving Worlds, Artist and The Machine Day, Barbican
2017 – Laboratory of Dark Matters, art-science project, Cleveland Ironstone Mining Museum
2017 – Laboratory of Dark Matters, art-science project, Guest Projects, Hackney
2016 – Solo show, Between Materials and Mechanisms, Art and Design Gallery, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield
2015 – A Letter in Mind, The National Brain Appeal, Oxo Tower, London
2015 – Structure, Texture, Future, The Nunnery Gallery, London
2015 – Common Bodies, East Street Arts, Leeds
2014 – Art Language Location Festival, Cambridge University, Cambridge
2013 – Cross-disciplinary group show: A Matter of Substance, APT Gallery, Deptford
2012 – Selected for Dangerous Curves Ahead, Bow Arts Open, Bermondsey Project, London
2012 – Commission: Historic Royal Palaces, Inter-generational Project, Wapping
2011 – Group exhibition: Drawing Connections Siena Arts Institute, Siena, Italy
2011 – Lead artist cross-disciplinary exhibition: A Theory of Everything, Core Gallery, Deptford
2010 – Commission: ‘Can’ (Adaptation), for Deptford X Gallery Plots, London SE
2010 – Group exhibition: At Play, South Hill Park, Berkshire
2009 – Commission ‘Module’ for Crafts Council, Origin, Somerset House, London
2008 – Group show Effuse: ‘Indevelopment’ & ‘Spin Bang’, Constance Howard Gallery, London
2007 – Residency exhibition: Rules & Regs, The Maltings, Farnham, Surrey
2007 – Group exhibition At Play, South Hill Park, Berkshire
2006 – The Textile Collective group show: Truman Brewery, London
Residencies
2022 – Residency, Kaleidoscope Gallery, Sevenoaks, Kent
2015-16 –UH Galleries, University of Hertfordshire
2007 – Rules and Regs, Farnham Maltings, Farnham, Surrey
Awards
2021 – 2022 – Developing your Creative Practice Grant, Arts Council England
2016 – Grants for the Arts Funding, Arts Council England
2013 – a-n The Artists Information Company Re:View Bursary
Select Talks and Seminars
2019 – Lecture and Tutorials, School of Creative Arts, University of Hertfordshire
2017 – Talk, Cultures Combine: Art and Science, Royal Institution, London
2016 – Artist Talk, University of Hertfordshire
2015 – Artist Talk, Sevenoaks Visual Arts Forum, Kaleidoscope Gallery, Sevenoaks
2012 – Artist Talk, Goldsmiths College, New Cross, London
2011 – Lead Artist Talk, ‘A Theory of Everything’ Core Gallery, London
2010 – The Drawing Experiment, Core Gallery, London
2009 – Master Class, Somerset House, London
Facilitation and Chairing
2020 + Facilitating Crits for ARTQUEST London
2020 – Mindful drawing workshops, Herts
2018 – Facilitator, Contemporary Arts Research Group event, University of Hertfordshire
2017 – Chair, Institute of Physics Event, Whitby Museum, UK
2017 – Chair, LabTalk+ Symposium, Laboratory of Dark Matters, Guest Projects
2015 – Bow Arts Professional Development Programme: Bow Skills Lab, chairing Galleries and Curators Panel with representatives from White Cube, Sunday Painters, Zabludowicz Collection and Crafts Council
2015 – Chair discussion event, academic/artist residency with Birkbeck College
2007 – present, Engine ChatChat peer crit, currently resident at Bow Arts and SVAF
2011 – 2012 Co-founder and chair of cross-disciplinary discussion forum ideas-matter-sphere
Writing
2020 – Text for Artist Catalogue, Green/blue, University of Hertfordshire
2015 – Artist Blog, amatterofeverything.wordpress.com
2012 – a-n online news, conference report: Arts Education in England Under Scrutiny
2007 – Essay ‘What is Drawing For? Loughborough University Drawing Journal
Media
2013 – Interview for Degree Show Catalogue, Leeds University
2012 – an-magazine, April 2012, Artist’s Interview on OpenAIR
2012 – Research paper: At Play: Curatorial Notes about Playfulness, by Cally Trench & Dr Outi Remes
2011 – Core Gallery Interview Series by Chantelle Purcell, ‘A Theory of Everything Exhibition’
2009 – Financial Times, How to Spend it, article by Emma Crichton-Miller
2007 – BBC Berks Breakfast Show, interview live in studio
Bringing People Together
I have extensive facilitation and chairing experience, and am available to chair events.
I am a member of an- The Artist Information Company, St Albans Artists Reading Group, and Complex Multiplicity – New Materialisms Reading group in London.
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