I make collages, assemblages, ceramics and moving image. My practice is primarily concerned with how the passage of time alters an object’s meaning and message. I do this by exploring the physical properties and surfaces of found images and objects gathered from multiple sources and from vastly differing time frames. My process is one of assembly, of gathering together fragments, of sifting meaning from the clutter and residue of material culture. I look for hidden, oblique and chance connections, and at how objects and images become significant through recognition or mis-recognition and through changes in context.
I make collages, assemblages, ceramics and moving image. My practice is primarily concerned with how the passage of time alters an object’s meaning and message. I do this by exploring the physical properties and surfaces of found images and objects gathered from multiple sources and from vastly differing time frames. My process is one of assembly, of gathering together fragments, of sifting meaning from the clutter and residue of material culture. I look for hidden, oblique and chance connections, and at how objects and images become significant through recognition or mis-recognition and through changes in context.
I am interested in how things detach and disperse - what is lost, what is found, what erodes and what is left behind. I am as interested in the spaces and traces, the overlooked and incidental, as that which is readily apparent. There are stories to uncover that are half-hidden and in continual flux.
I explore the particularities and peculiarities of the language of a technology or a process. This might be about how a technology becomes obsolete and re-found, or how a particular tool dictates a way of working. I often use books and words as structures and explore how these translate into images. Sometimes this involves using literary fiction to reflect on how themes, ideas and experiences are like myth, and echo through time. Work emerges in the spaces between visual forms, between technologies and between words, images and objects.
I studied at Middlesex University (BA), Central St. Martins (PG) and UWIC, Cardiff (MA) and I am currently undertaking an AHRC funded practice-based PhD at Kingston School of Art titled: 'The Deserted Laboratory: The Para-Illustration of JG Ballard'. I have created work across a range of exhibition and publishing contexts. Commissions have included projects with the V&A, the British Library, ENO and the Poetry Society and exhibition venues have included g39, Oriel Davies, Outpost and Transition. I have taught at a number of UK art colleges including UWIC Cardiff, Norwich University of the Arts and the RCA. I am based in Norwich, UK.
Exhibitions & Projects 2021 ‘The Deserted Laboratory’, Festival of Research, Kingston School of Art. 2020 ‘Aphrodite 80 (Unfinished)’ in ‘Living British Cinema’, Garageland / Transition Gallery. 2019 ‘Another Land’ Kingston Museum. 2018 ‘Re-Evolution’ Hockney Gallery, RCA, London. 2017 ‘Strange Pilgrimage’, Beaney, Canterbury. 2017 ‘Outpost Members Show’ selected by Andy Holden, Outpost, Norwich. 2016 ‘Adaptation’ (with Jackie Chettur and Gerbrand Burger) Transition Gallery, London. 2015 'Critical Messages’, Levinsky Building, Plymouth University. 2015 ‘Hidden In Plain Sight’, NUA, Norwich. 2013 ‘Library of Lost Books’ Library of Birmingham. 2012 ‘It was never going to be straightforward’, g39, Cardiff. 2011 ‘Imagined Machines’, TestBed, Oriel Davies, Powys, 2009 National Eisteddfod of Wales, Bala, 2008 ‘Conduits, Schemes & Spheres’, George Rodger Gallery, Kent. 2008 ‘If You Build It, They Will Come’, g39, Cardiff. 2008 ‘The Rise and Progress of Superstition’, Brecknock Art Gallery, Powys (solo). 2006 ‘Surface’, Oriel Davies, Powys. 2005 ‘Beginning, Middle & End’, g39, Cardiff.
Bookworks: 2019: 'The Suburbs Were Defined by the Brands we Sold' 2017: 'The Arsonist's Tale' Self published edition of 20, risograph; 2014: "Chants de Chance' self-publshed on issuu.com; 'Theory of Forms' self-publshed on issuu.com; 2014: 'Lending Department, 1881, Library of Lost Books, Birmingham Library; 2011: ‘Meowmorphosis’ written by Coleridge Cook, Quirk Books
Publications: 2020 'Living British Cinema' Garageland 23 'Aphrodite 80 Unfinished)' 2016 'Remake Remodel' Garageland 20 2016 'Myths of the Near Future: Ballard, Crusoe and Google' Varoom Issue 32 2014‘The Contradictions of Style' Varoom Issue 26 2014 ‘Illustrating Folly’, Folio Journal (Sept, pp. 36-41) 2012 The Authorial Illustrator, Atlantic Press; 2012 ‘It was never going to be straightforward, g39, Cardiff; 2011 Printmaking Today, ‘First Folio’ Vol. 20 No.3; Albert Camus, ‘The Outsider’, Folio (interior illustrations ‘Meowmorphosis’ by Coleridge Cook, Quirk Books (interior illustrations); Suzanne Hinchliffe, ‘River of Life’ Design Week 2010 Gina Cross, ‘Images 34' (Editorial essay), AOI Publications 2009 Mark Wigan, ‘Illustration in Global Contexts’, AVA Academia Publication; Adrian Plant, (Catalogue essay), National Eisteddfod of Wales, Bala, 2006 Mark Wigan, ‘Thinking Visually’, Watson-Guptill Publications 2005 Emily Mitchell, (Interview), The Journal (09/05) 2002 National Eisteddfod of Wales, St. David’s, Catalogue 2002 Susan Aldworth, ‘Creative Response’ (Interview), The Journal (06/02) 2000 Gillian Rhys, ‘We Are Not Worthy’, Eve Magazine (09/00) 2000 Robert Mason, ‘A Digital Dolly’, Norwich School of Art and Design (pp. 4,30).
Teaching & Employment: 2018-2019 Royal Collage of Art (MA) Visiting Lecturer, 2012 - 2019 Norwich University of the Arts (BA) P/T Lecturer, 2007- 12 Oriel Davies, Newtown, Powys, Design & Marketing 2010 University College Falmouth 'The Untamed Tiger' Open Forum: Speaker 2009-10 Central St Martins (Visiting Lecturer, MA) 2008-09 Stockport College of Art & Design (BA) P/T Lecturer 2008 Visiting Lecturer, UCA Maidstone (BA) 2004-6 Part-Time Lecturer, Hereford College of Arts (BA) 2004 Visiting Lecturer, University of Wales Institute, Cardiff (BA)
Residencies, Bursaries & Awards: 2018 AHRC (Ldoc) funding for PhD at Kingston Univesity, 2012 V&A Illustration Awards, London, 2011 ‘Getting Inside the Outsider, Folio/House of Illustration Award 2010 V&A Illustration Awards, London 2008 NAN Artists New Collaborations Bursary 2007 AOI UK Award (Silver) for ‘Sexing the Cherry’ by Jeanette Winterson 2006 AOI UK Award (Gold) for ‘In Evil Hour’ by Gabriel Garcia Marquez 2005 AOI UK Award (Bronze) for ‘Love in the Time of Cholera’ by Gabriel Garcia Marquez 2000-1 Artist in Residence, Printmaking Department, Herefordshire College of Art and Design
Conferences: 2015 Speaker: Adaptation and the Metropolis, University of London. 2014 Speaker: Paper: ‘In Praise of Folly: a Palimpsest of Foolery’ ‘The Itinerant Illustrator’ The 5th International Illustration Research Symposium, Srishti School of Art, Design and Technology, Bangalore 2010 Speaker: 'The Untamed Tiger' Open Forum, University College Falmouth
