Gratitude

A creative career is a fragile thing, and it only thrives because of the community supporting it. I’m filled with gratitude for the artists, curators, and audiences who keep making this way of life feel worth the effort. Special thanks to the photographers who capture my work so beautifully, and to my neighbour Roger Spear for his invaluable behind-the-scenes help.

FAULT: studies in survival at The Old Waiting Room, Peckham Rye Station (3–6 Sept), was a total joy. The exhibition was short but "incredibly juicy!" Huge thanks to Jo Martin and Mandy Leonard for their brilliant curation, and to Gail Corrie for her hard work on the install. Seeing the work and meeting fellow artists and visitors in that historic, transient Victorian waiting room was special.

FAULT, The Old Waiting Room, Peckham Rye Station, London

Photos above by Lucid Plane

Current - you might like to visit:

Beyond Horizons, Stoberry Park Gardens, Wells, Somerset BA5 3LD. Now until 4th October, Tues, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun: 10:30am-4pm, Thurs: 1pm-7pm, closed Mon.

Flags of the Forest has been installed at Stoberry, with magnificent views across to Wells Cathedral and Glastonbury Tor. It’s an evolving installation, which celebrates biodiversity in precarious times. Made from salvaged, and botanically dyed materials, the title nods to Ursula K. Le Guin’s The Word for World Is Forest. I’ve been moved by people’s' responses — some staying with it for a while, and picking up on the themes of grief, care, and repair that are embedded in my practice.

Photos by Russell Sach

• I’ll be running a Mini Textiles Hanging Workshop on Sunday 4 Oct, 10:30am–12:30pm, £12pp. Book on Eventbrite

Guila Tofana, The Chapel, Brompton Cemetery, London SW10 9UQ, Sat 19 & Sun 20 Sept at 4.30pm

Delighted to have the opportunity to install my work Of Bones in Brompton Chapel for Guila Tofana, a performance produced by Ushara Dilrukson in collaboration with Anousha Payne.

Photos by Andy Stagg. art Installations by Anousha Payne and myself

This week I installed some earlier work at Hazelmere Sculpture Trail, Hazelmere, Hillcommon, TA4 1DU, 19 Sept-4 Oct, part of Somerset Art Weeks Festival (Venue 11). All work is for sale.

Where are we now? , No.6 Bruton, 6 High Street, Bruton BA10 0AA, Fri–Sun, 25–27 Sept & 2–4 Oct, 10am–5pm

Following our touring project IN:CH by Inch in ‘21, and our show last month at 44AD, Bath, our artist collective is coming together with new work in this intimate, Grade II listed former tailor shop, Part of Somerset Art Weeks Festival (Venue 56). I’m showing 2 of my Stilt Structures. These creature-like sculptural assemblages of hard and soft salvaged materials explore precarious living, climate instability. and resilience.

Riot, 44AD Artspace, Bath

Stilt Structure IV, 44AD Artspace, Bath

44AD Artspace, Bath

Meet the Artist: I will be invigilating at the gallery on Friday 2nd October—please come by and say hello!

The Gleaning on Tour, St Cuthbert’s Centre, Lindisfarne TD15 2RZ, 27–29 September 2026

We are taking The Gleaning north to the Holy Island Arts Festival in Northumberland! Ten of our original panels will hang in the windows of St Cuthbert's Centre. The final panel is a brand-new, collaborative piece stitched in a Korean bojagi style. The public is invited to drop in, paint on the fine muslin with colored inks, and help us create a stunning stained-glass effect.

• Bookable Workshop: Sketch, Stitch, Scribe with Gill Sakakini, Polly Hall, Rosalind Teesdale-Ives, and myself, 29th Sept, 10am–1pm. Book Workshop

Upcoming Courses

Laat chance to book!

Creative Sketchbooking from 21 Sept. Monday 10am-12noon, & 7-9pm

Eco Sculpture from 22 Sept 2026. Tuesday 10am-12noon

Makers’ Yard, 37 Lower Keyford, Frome BA11 4AR, £75

View full details of my current and forthcoming projects

Hope to see you at one of these spaces soon.

After this busy season, I’m looking forward to retreating back into the studio to cultivate some new work!

Picking up Past Threads

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!

Last week to visit...

Sack, Cass Art Prize, London

I’ve had an invigorating month installing large-scale works in glorious spaces with the help of an amazing team, and I’m so grateful for all the support. Time has flown by and soon it will be time to de-install 3 shows. This is the final week to visit the following:

Cass Art Prize Exhibition, Copeland Gallery, Peckham, London SE15 3SN runs to Saturday 1 November, Sun-Thur 12-5pm, Fri-Sat 12-7pm. It was an elaborate operation installing Sack - thanks to help from: Roger Spear, Julia Middleton, Georgia Grinter, Jack Robson and Cass Art team. I stayed in London for the Private View (best canapés I’ve had for a long time), and enjoyed visiting other shows (Frieze Sculpture; Giacometti/Hatoum, Barbican; Gomes, Pace; Goudal, Edel Assanti). If you’d like to cast a vote there’s a People’s Choice award - here’s the link.

Threads of Light, Wells Art Contemporary

Wells Art Contemporary, Wells Cathedral, Somerset., My site-specific installation Threads of Light is located in the sublime Chapter House. Daylight streams through the work from stained glass windows. In contrast, it looked wonderfully dramatic on the opening evening with lighting by Greg Trezise. There’s an excellent range of installations and other artwork throughout the Cathedral. Open until Saturday 1 November.

One Island - Many Visions ends on 31 Oct. Don’t miss this show of site-responsive works by 27 artists from Royal Society of Sculptors and Portland Sculpture & Quarry Trust.

Above: My talk at the Artists-in-Conversation event

Below: My Eco Sculpture Workshop

Riot. Photo by Barbara Beyer

You can find my piece Riot at Tout Quarry Sculpture Park & Nature Reserve, Portland, Dorset 📍what3words: ///deliver.press.tilts. Entrances: Memory Stones, Priory Corner DT5 2EN & Tradecroft, Wide Street DT5 2LN. Free parking, open daily.

My sculpture Stilt Structure II is in Bath Society of Artists Open Exhibition, Victoria Gallery, Bath until 10th January 2026, 10.30am-5pm..  I was honoured to be invited as guest selector for 3-d work.

Pleased one of my sculptures (made from repurposed piano parts) is now in the permanent collection at The Piano Shop, Bath. I have 2 more pieces for sale there - do visit.

I’ve just finished teaching a Drawing Course (pics below of participants’ work) and will be running a Creative Sketchbooking Course via Frome Community Education, starting 5 November, Wednesdays 2-4pm, Makers’ Yard, 37 Lower Keyford, Frome BA11 4AR. There are a couple of places left so book soon if interested.

Please visit my instagram for regular updates and images.

Threads of Light

This month I have exhibitions running simultaneously in Portland, Wells, Bath and London. I’ve been installing a new site-responsive piece Threads of Light in the exhilarating Chapter House at Wells Cathedral for Wells Art Contemporary. Really grateful to Roger Spear and the team at WAC for all help and support. Riot continues to change under various weather conditions, sited on the rocks at Tout Quarry Sculpture Park & Nature Reserve in Portland, as part of One Island - Many Visions. Next week I’ll be sitting on the selection panel for Bath Society of Artists Open Exhibition, Victoria Gallery, Bath. My piece Stilt Structure II features in the show. Next, I’ll be reconstructing parts of Sack ready for delivery to the Cass Art Prize Exhibition at Copeland Gallery, London. All very exciting!

Threads of Light: installation in progress. Found/recycled materials: sustainable papers, tea bags, textiles, wax, wood, metal, sandbags.. Photos by Maddie Keates

An ancient tree, ghostly limbs and a ruined landscape evoke loss; yet mycelial threads - networks of energy - offer regeneration. Threads of Light considers the entangled relationships between humans, forests, and climate change. We are all connected.

‘Flowing light’ is the WAC theme this year, symbolising enlightenment. it relates to 13th century mystic Mechthild of Magdeburg’s writings, which draw on her union with God, pain, love, divine flow. My work suggests fostering deeper union with natural world, throwing light on the plight of forests, and nature’s tenacity. The immersive oscillation of verticals, translucent branching forms, fluid networks evocative of mycelium, fungal ecologies and forest histories creates a dynamic, ethereal atmosphere. Line interweaves through labour-intensive processes of care and repair: interconnectedness, flow of energy weaving through nature, binding life. A ghost tree, surrounded by shattered tree stumps, references deforestation, wildfires, climate change, haunting war visions. Hope is an act of resistance in dark times.

The exhibition runs from Wednesday 8 October - Saturday 1 November. Private View Thursday 9 October, 7pm. Entrance fee to the Cathedral includes WAC. Under 18s, free as are Wells residents with a local pass.

Riot Performance, 14 September, with me and Melanie Thompson: Found, recycled & donated materials: beach waste (ghost netting, rope, hard hats, fishing floats), wire, textiles (some home-dyed with natural pigments), wool, twine, plastic, sponge, polyester, natural debris, sandbags. Photos by Andy Ralston

On a very rainy day last month I performed with Melanie Thompson wearing Riot (in 2 parts) at its site in the quarry, Portland (what3words: ///deliver.press.tilts). Thanks to the small audience who braved the elements to watch. There will be a film produced of the event by Andy Ralston, which I will publish when edited.

I’ll be leading a FREE Eco Sculpture Workshop Friday 10 October, 2-4.30pm, Drill Hall, Portland (funded by The Arts Society Wessex Area) - last chance to book: fionacampbell-art@sky.com

I’ll also be taking part in an Artists-in-Conversation, Sunday 19 October 2pm with Ros Burgin, Nicola Turner, Rebecca Newnham, Kate Parson, Hannah Sofaer, chaired by Freeny Yianni (Close Ltd). Meet at Drill Hall.

Other Exhibitions:

Bath Society of Artists Open Exhibition, Victoria Art Gallery, Bath, Sat 18th October 2025 - 10th January 2026, 10.30am-5pm.

Shortlisted for the Cass Art Prize 2025, Sack will be on exhibiton at Copeland Gallery, Unit 9, Copeland Park, 133 Copeland Rd, London SE15 3SN, Friday 24 October – Saturday 1 November.

Courses:

Creative Sketchboooking (via Fome Community Education) - last chance to book

Interesting article:

https://theecologist.org/2025/sep/07/food-sovereignty-climate-justice

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Happenings

Riot, recycled materials inc. ocean litter. Tout Quarry Sculpture Park & Nature Reserve. Photo Barbara Beyer

My piece Riot is now installed on the rocks at Tout Quarry Sculpture Park & Nature Reserve, as part of One Island - Many Visions.. We had a lovely and very successful opening Private View last weekend. See full description of Riot here, including what3words location. (Entrances – Memory Stones, Priory Corner DT5 2EN and Tradecroft – Wide Street DT5 2LN. Free Parking Tout Quarry carpark & Heights Hotel.)

I’ll be activating Riot as an intervention, in collaboration with Melanie Thompson this Sunday 14 Sept, 2pm at its site. It will be more of a happening than performance. Do come if you can. We will be there no matter the weather! Bring a brolly ;-)

I’ll be leading an Eco Sculpture Workshop on Friday 10 October 2-4.30pm, Drill Hall, (Easton Lane, Portland DT5 1BW). Book: fionacampbell-art@sky.com. I’ll also be taking part in an Artists- in-Conversation, Sunday 19 October 2pm with Ros Burgin, Nicola Turner, Rebecca Newnham, Kate Parson, Hannah Sofaer, chaired by Freeny Yianni (Close Ltd). Save the date! For further info see @oneislandmanyvisions.

Riot. Photos above by Barbara Beyer

Me with Riot. Photo Seamus Moran

Me with Madi Acharya Baskerville. Photo Barbara Beyer

My installation Threads of LIght is still in the making.  It will be sited in The Chapter House, Wells Cathedral for Wells Art Contemporary. The exhibition will run from Wed 8 Oct - Sat 1 Nov. Private View 9 October, 7pm.

Sack (shortlisted for the Cass Art Prize 2025) will be on exhibiton at Copeland Gallery, Unit 9, Copeland Park, 133 Copeland Rd, London SE15 3SN, Fri 24 Oct – Sat 1 Nov.

Exciting weeks ahead! I hope you can visit some of these events.

Upcoming Courses via Frome Community Education - book soon as places are limited:

Drawing:  https://www.fromecommed.org.uk/courses/id/drawing

Creative Sketchboooking: https://www.fromecommed.org.uk/courses/id/creative-sketchbooking-afternoon1

A huge heartfelt thank you to those who’ve donated towards my shed and performance work: Caroline Driscoll, Hanne Castein, Angela Morley, Claire Alves, Julia Middleton, Victoria Grinter. Greetings Cards will be winging their way to you soon! My shed is being incredibly useful already to store my work for WAC (see pics above).

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