About
Since I was 13, I had a burning desire to go to Art School, but life had other plans, in 1991 and just 16, I became pregnant. My parents kicked me out and I found myself in a damp, mouldy council flat, a mother 2 weeks after my 17th Birthday, working up to 3 jobs at a time to make ends meet, but the flame of creativity - however dim; was always there waiting to be reignited. By 2020 I was running my own bespoke corsetry business, but the pandemic restrictions forced its closure, ‘Where do I go from here?’ Thinking back to what I’d always wanted to do, I enrolled on the Foundation Art at Blackburn, built my portfolio, and in 2024, applied to ULan for the master’s degree in fine art. I have successfully established my artistic position within several contemporary discourses that intersect nature, walking, and fine art, exploring how my creativity holds roots and blossoms in the quiet, reparative force of nature and how it has profoundly impacted and shaped my understanding of late diagnosed neurodivergence. I work across multiple disciplines in textiles, mixed media, foraged materials and photography to create pieces that encourage the viewer to experience slower, more mindful encounters in outdoor spaces.
Project overview
Healing
This exhibition situates my practice within several contemporary discourses, intersecting nature, walking, and fine art, drawing together both natural and manufactured materials that examine how I negotiate my own relationship with the natural world. Each piece has its own story, yet all are interconnected by location - my favourite walking areas of Cadshaw Quarry, and the Entwistle and Wayoh reservoirs. The locations provided much of the foraged materials used in each piece, illustrating and giving insight into how nature has helped me to rediscover myself, my creativity, restored my mental and physical wellbeing and provided me with the foundations to build a new artistic direction.
Art of Decay - A0, satin paper photography series of decaying leaves
From Body to Ground - A piece combining corsetry, foraged materials, acrylic painting and hand embroidery.
The Red Wall - 3m x 3m wall hanging digitally printed photograph on fabric
