I am a Yorkshire based artist known mostly for my species of fairies and their various adventures. When not busy making fairies I like to help people to make things. In particular characters, creatures and figures. I have always loved to tell stories, invent worlds and most importantly create the inhabitants. My creative practise has developed over the years and with it a desire to pass on my skills. Consequently I teach people to illustrate three dimensionally using a quirky combination of mixed media. The process and outcomes are unique and suitable for all ages to try - tiny to tall.
EDUCATION & TRAINING
Herefordshire College of Art and Design 2001
BA (Hons) Design Crafts-Mixed Media.
First Class Honours
CAREER PROFILE
Freelance Artist June 2001 – Present
As a freelance artist I have managed to gain both national and international recognition for my work.
I exhibit throughout the UK and abroad in solo and group exhibitions. My sculptures are regularly featured in high profile magazines and press such as Selvedge, Crafts and Craft & Design Magazine. I regularly work to commission in both the private and public sectors, clients include Moorfield’s Eye Hospital and Kirklees Primary Care trust.
Art Practitioner September 2012 – April 2013
Teaching Reception and Year 1 Art at Battyeford Primary School Mirfield
Temporary Art & Design Technology Teacher October 2010 – July 2011
Teaching Year 3 & 4 boys at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School - Wakefield
Freelance Art Educator. 2003 – Present
Teaching is intrinsic to my creative practice, passing on knowledge has always excited me.
Fortunately I am able to work across the whole educational spectrum in schools, colleges, galleries and community centers with people of all ages and abilities. It varies from one project to the next.
Current/Recent Projects:
· Adopt an Artist’ scheme (Mirfield Pyramid) running afterschool art activities with Local Primary Schools.
· Character Building Project with Literacy Links – Bywell Primary School
· CAPE ‘Enquiry Schools’ Project- I am an ‘External Partner’ commissioned by Battyeford School to engage parents so that they will assist in their child’s learning.
· Sculpture workshops at Oldham Art Gallery and Touchstones Rochdale
· Visiting Lecturer Foundation Studies (3D)–Leeds College of Art & Design
Educational Co Ordinator (part time role)
The Craft Centre & Design Gallery Leeds. October 2005 –June 2007
My main role was to devise and deliver a range of educational activities to accompany the gallery exhibition programme with the aim of reaching new audiences.
SELECTED EDUCATION PROJECTS
2012 5 day Residencies at Netherthong, Moldgreen & Littletown Primary Schools as part of the Kirklees Art4All Scheme
Teacher Insets at Various Kirklees School and the Kirklees School Network.
Shelley College – Transition Project with Years 8&9
Alcester grammar School –Collaborative Site Specific Sculpture Project
2010 Parental Involvement Project –Battyeford CE Primary School & Creative Partnerships Enquiry Schools Programme
Family Workshops & Teacher taster session - Touchstones Rochdale Art Gallery
2009 Series of workshops with Oldham Art Gallery for local schools.
Sculpting & character development for storytelling –Inset day Thornhill
09-10 Character Sculpting Workshops- Bywell
09-10 Creature Project across Mirfield Schools, Kirklees Adopt an Artist scheme - Mirfield Pyramid
2008 Balloons Over Basingstoke Community Project organised by ‘The Making’
Family Weekend Workshops at Durham Art Gallery & 20 -21 Visual Arts Centre, Scunthorpe
Talk & sculpture workshop at Yorkshire Sculpture Park
Community Workshop for Rugby Art Gallery & Museum for the ‘At Home’ Project geared towards visitors at Rugby Age Concern.
Visiting Lecturer at Leeds College of Art & Design –Pre BA Foundation level
2007 Artist Residency & Commission - Allerton Primary School in Immingham. Project coordinated by Extended Schools N E Lincs Council & Artlandish. Sculptures & designs created by Year 6 pupils were used to produce a permanent sculpture for the school
2010 Touchstones Rochdale Art Gallery- The Creature Show
The Devon Guild of Craftsmen - Tall Stories
Blue Coat Display Centre, Liverpool -In the Window
Yorkshire Sculpture Park - In the Window
2009 Oldham Art Gallery - Solo Show
Heim + Handwerk, Munich -Artistic Toys
Brighton Art Fair
Craft2eu , Hamburg -Showcase
2008 Origin 08 –Somerset House The Strand London
Yorkshire Sculpture Park – Showcase
Craft in the Bay, Cardiff – Profile Maker
SDC Gallery, London - Virtuoso
2007 Origin 07 –Somerset House London, Air – Craft2eu Hamburg Germany – Air
The Craft Centre & Design Gallery -25 Years
The Platform Gallery Clitheroe –Solo Showcase
2006 Yorkshire Sculpture Park –Made
National Touring Exhibition starting at Oriel Davies Gallery, Wales -Folk Art & Fairy Tales Four Gallerie Excentric Denmark - Four Man Show
2004 The Craft Centre & Design Gallery -Solo Show
2003 Heim + Handwerk, Munich- Artistic Toys, Solo Derek Topp Gallery- Solo Show
Artifex , Birmingham – Solo show
OXOXO Gallery, USA
The Crafts Council Shop at the V&A Museum
SELECTED COMMISSIONS
2007 Moorfield’s Eye Hospital in Central London – Commissioned to design and then construct a series of wall pieces for the newly built paediatric wing.
2007 Extended Schools N E Lincs Council & Artlandish –Commissioned for an Artist Residency at Allerton Primary School in Immingham. Sculptures & designs created by Year 6 pupils were used to produce a permanent sculpture for the school.
2005 North Kirklees Primary Care Trust - Commissioned initially to design and then create a large site specific suspended sculpture for the main atrium space of a newly built health centre in Yorkshire – Batley Health Centre
Small Sculpture & 10 framed photographs also for a new Health Centre.
AWARDS
2012 Craft & Design Selected Award - Gold Award for Specialist Media
2009 Craft & Design Selected Award - Gold Award for Specialist Media
2008 The Selvedge Award for Excellence in Textiles
2008 The Wow Factor Award -British Craft Trade Fair, Harrogate
2007 Awarded Funding Arts Council England
Making & Showing Grant
2006 Awarded Funding Arts Council England Research & Development Grant
2006 Award for Excellence -British Craft Trade Fair, Harrogate
2002 Most Promising Maker -awarded by the New Ashgate Gallery
2001 The Business and Professional Studies Prize and The HP Bulmer Award for Design Crafts, both awarded by Hereford College of Art and Design