I am an artist currently specialising in printmaking. I run my own project called 'Sharing the Making,' working with artisans in Peru, South America. I am particularly interested in collaborative work and how to develop my skills in print and pattern design, in order to strengthen my ability to communicate with collaborative partners. I believe in the value of traditional craftsmanship and I am keen to harness the collaborative relationships I have forged through future projects. I also run community workshops and I am interested in the philosophy of pedagogy. I hope that the MA in Textiles will aid me on my journey towards lecturing in higher education in the future, ideally on a Foundation Course in Art and Design.
AA2A Artist Residency
I recently completed an eleven month residency at Salford University, working within the fashion department. I assisted in a number of lecture and seminar sessions with students in all year groups. I developed a series of collagraph prints which acted as a blueprint for textiles woven by artisan groups in Peru. I have recently started designing applications for these textiles, in collaboration with Paul Marsden at Salford University to create the first 'Sharing the Making' collection. I plan to realise my products during the MA programme, with an eye on enterprise.
In May of this year, I was commissioned by Pennine Arts/Creativity Works, to run a series of workshops at The Blackburn Art Gallery to shadow the lead artist's Timorous Beasties' art installation. I ran workshops in collagraph, screenprinting, etching and mono-printing for both adults and children from a range of different cultural backgrounds. I worked to encourage public engagement in the japanese print archives at the museum and public awareness in the new installation produced for the town.
To mark the end of my residency at Salford University I exhibited my work at the CREATE space in the Lowry Outlet centre, Salford. I brought together work that had been made during fashion workshops, textiles that I had commissioned and handmade prints. I also presented drawing experiments that I had enjoyed producing, which brought together traditional Peruvian iconography with contemporary fashion images. I want to explore aspects of drawing during the MA programme in order to develop my pattern concepts and begin to develop my research profile.
People are central to my work. I am interested in the master-apprentice relationship and I have spent many years sourcing and locating the people who can help me in my quest to learn and develop new skills. I have worked in France, Peru and Cyprus and I have been introduced to many exciting traditional crafts. My philosophy is grounded by a mutual benefit and I hope that through 'Sharing the Making' I can help create a platform for makers that might otherwise not exist. Principally through the MA programme, I hope to explore 'The Old Masters' drawing principles and delve into the inductions, workshops and seminars within University to develop my print and pattern concepts into completed works.
This year I began learning some restoration techniques on a vocational training course and I have applied some of the textiles produced in Peru to furniture salvaged from fairs and markets. I have worked with other craft groups including Heaton Beaders and the Embroiderers Guild in Manchester and attended workshops and seminars which have encouraged my thirst for learning. More recently I have been working at a painting restoration business, developing my knowledge and skills in traditional painting methods. I hope to continue with this work through my studies, and apply the new skills to my print and pattern concepts.
To advance my studies at Manchester School of Art, I would like a studio space within the textiles department, access to computer facilities and pattern design software technology, and inductions to the relevant workshop facilities as early as possible in the programme, ie print room, dye labs and digital printing. I would be happy to join BA students during this initial part of my studies.
Methods I will you use include exploring new processes, traditional principles and developing collaborations. I believe past study in the theories of natural aesthetics during my BA in Design and Art Direction and business skills developed through work experience and during the BDes in Creative Busines Development at Manchester School of Art, will underpin my practice on the MA programme. My work will explore print and dye processes primarily, though I would like to explore a range of processes during the two year programme.
I have over five years commercial experience working for the fashion agency, Work In Progress Textilhandels Gmbh. I am now interested in how the acquisition of ‘making’ skills through workshops can have a positive impact on both the participants and the facilitator involved, raising confidence and self-esteem. I am keen to develop my business concept, putting the ‘maker’ at the forefront. I plan to make links with the 'Arts for Health' organization at Manchester School of Art, in order to broaden my knowledge of the field. I want to develop the scope for possibilities through my project SHARING the MAKING by forging new collaborations, involving myself in other projects such as the craft research 'Pairings' group at Manchester School of Art and the Ahmedebad, India research project.
5 years from now I want to have experience of working at The Timorous Beasties Workshop in Glasgow. I want to lecture on a Foundation Course in Art and Design. I would like to produce and sell my own collection of accessory designs, which utilize Peruvian fabric in design application. Through sharing the making I hope to have held further exhibitions of my work nationally and internationally and to have built a strong research profile. I believe the MA will help contribute to my knowledge and sustainability of my practice.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)