Stilt Structure IV, Found, discarded, recycled materials: wood, jute, fabric (some naturally dyed), leather, polyester stuffing, feathers, sponge, copper wire, sisal, thread; 174 x 76 x 78cms; 2026
This year is turning into a period of picking up past threads, nurturing what already exists, and developing new work. I’m returning to projects that were set aside for a while, rebuilding connections, and engaging with the wider community.
Upcoming:
‘Communities in the Landscape' is a community arts project which will be part of The Winscombe Festival of Arts and Nature (12th July). Tomasin Cuthbert (Soap Soup Theatre Director) - who I used to teach at Churchill School - invited me to collaborate with her to create a large-scale sculptural installation. We’re working with schoolchildren to create multiple elements for the piece, inspired by shapes in our local landscape, insect/animal forms, and temporary human structures like washing lines, tents and dens.
So far, with Reception and Year 1 children (Sandford Primary School), we’ve been using eco botanical inks to make tie dye patches, weaving beads/buttons/bottle tops into wire ‘danglies’, and painting inspired by animal tracks and water movement - all to be hand-stitched together. We’ll also be working with Churchill Academy and Banwell Primary to create small sculptural pieces, embroider surfaces and more... I’ve been enjoying all the prep!
The final structure - an ambiguous hybrid form alluding to creature, playhouse, and vista - will imply precarity, adaptability and resilience, treading the earth - sometimes lightly, sometimes leaving scars. Galvanised by the notion that humans are not centre stage, and that our existence has always been a shared one with our non-human neighbours, we’re exploring our shared vulnerabilities, and ways to heal collectively. In our contemporary world, in which technology is changing at a rapid pace and affecting us as beings, it’s more important than ever to consider our natural connections.
The Gleaning on Tour to Holy Island
In 2022, I co-curated a community art project The Gleaning with Gill Sakakini. We worked closely with Polly Hall, and were supported by Rosalind Teasdale-Ives, Bella Frey and others.
Our project was about bringing people together, community, sanctuary, care & repair, sustainability, diversity - referencing global traditions, especially the handmade. We reused material remnants including botanically dyed fabric, handmade paper, and found objects, which were imprinted, embedded, and stitched into patchwork and appliqué. We created 11 large-scale translucent installations suspended in front of 5m windows in Shepton Mallet church - replicating stained glass. We engaged numerous people of different ages, backgrounds, abilities, genders, nationalities. For inspiration we looked at a range of art from countries around the world, including Korean bojagi textiles works, Gee’s Bend textiles, African textiles, Polish and Romanian folkart.
We’re taking this project to Holy Island for a week in September, and getting excited about the trip connecting north and south! The Gleaning opens 27-29th September, St Cuthberts Church, Holy Island, Sun/Mon 10-4, Tuesday 10-1pm. On Monday 10am-12noon we’ll give a Tour & Talk; and on Tuesday 10am-1pm were offering a free Sketch, Scribe, Stitch Workshop.
Where Are We Now?
Five years on from our travelling exhibition Inch by IN:CH, artists from the collective are coming together to present new perspectives. Our exhibition will open at 44AD, Bath 24 Aug - 30 Aug, 11-5. PV Mon 24 Aug, 5-8pm; Wed 26 Aug, 6pm, In-Conversation; Sun 11-1 children’s workshop Sketch & Sculpt, £10 with Shirley & Fiona. Touring to No.6 Bruton, as part of Somerset Art Weeks Festival, open 25 Sept - 4 Oct, Fri-Sun, 10-4.
Beyond Horizons
Delighted Flags of the Forest has been selected for Beyond Horizons, a new annual major sculpture event to be held at Stoberry Park Garden, Wells, Somerset (5 Sept - 4 Oct), timed to coincide with Somerset Art Weeks. Flags of the Forest is a large-scale sculptural installation with textiles elements activated by the weather. I’m looking forward to placing it later this year in the magnificent grounds. Thanks to the panel of judges: Theresa Bergne, Nicola Knight, Fred McDonald, Martin Staniforth, Freeny Yianni, and Frances & Tim Meeres Young.
Flags of the Forest, installed at Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens, 2023
Behind the scenes, I’m assisting Beyond Horizons, mainly managing the Instagram account.
Also supporting Micro Commission and Creative Pathways artists for Somerset Art Works.
Plus, developing new Stilt Structures, a series originating in 2024, some for outdoors.
Hand drawn design for outdoor Stilt Structure
My storage shed is nearing completion - it’s been a long drawn out project! Also spending time doing up my living/work spaces, appreciating what I have.
XL Exhibition, Black Swan Arts, Frome. Last day today! Closing Hour 3-4pm - all welcome. Pleased to have donated a painting ‘Garlic’ to this fundraising exhibition, celebrating 40 years of Frome’s first arts centre. Do pop along for the final hour if near Frome!
Enjoy the summer months and hope to catch you at some point!