Artist Statement I was born in Glasgow and had a love of drawing from a young age. After 20 years devoted to bringing up my four daughters, I decided to go back to education and study Art. Studying HNC in Art and Design at New College Lanarkshire then HND in Art and Design at Forth Valley. I’m now studying BA in Art and Contemporary Practices at the University of The Highlands and Islands. The main features within my work relate to connection. Whether that be connection to a place that holds fond memories or looking at a familiar place and it's past and connections to the present. A fairly new element appearing in my work is that of portraiture in particular those of close family and friends. I like to experiment and try new things and also have a love for abstraction and often create abstracts as a means of relaxing. Recently, I have been doing quite a bit of reflection on my practice. I have realised just how important connection is to me despite this being something that I struggle with, however it seems I seek connection and portray this through the works I create. At the beginning of 2021 I decided to try to make new connections, to try new things and step out of my comfort zone. So, I decided to do Fun a Day Dundee during the month of January. Firstly, to keep my practice in art going during this month and also to connect with other creatives on Instagram that I did not know. I enjoyed the whole experience. It was interesting and inspiring to see the variety of creativity. My first week doing Fun a Day Dundee I created watercolour artworks called “Postcards from Skye”. This project led on to another project with Blend Creates this was a pARTnership. For this you were given a partner to collaborate with. I have been attending the GOSSIP Tranquillity series. This to focus on more positive things during this difficult time of Covid. A poem was read called 'The Guesthouse' by Rumi. This poem is talking about an unwelcome guest and the fact that you should embrace the whole situation good and bad as you can learn from it. This really struck a chord with me and I shared it with my partner. It was the starting point of our collaboration and the theme of connection through this time was what we worked on. We did a sketchbook swap my page is on the right and my partners on the left. My image of the hands focussing on human touch and the words are the connections that we have with each other. My partner responded by creating this adapted image of the creation of Adam. My second image is relating to the torn fabric of our lives representing the world being torn apart, us becoming disconnected and how can we repair this due to Covid and my partner responded by trying to sew the fabric back together. I thoroughly enjoyed this project and I am looking forward to Exchange GOSSIP partnership coming up soon! While studying I am working towards improving my own skills in drawing, painting and printmaking among other skills to improve and develop my practice. However, I have realised that part of my practice is socially engaged practice that seeks to use my skills for the betterment of the community that through skill sharing with others you can bring positive benefits to the community you are working with and this is what I hope to do once my studies are complete.
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August 2021
CategoriesIf any member would like to be our next Featured Artist of the Month then please email no more than 5 images and an Artist Statement at 250 words maximum with any website, social media and email links.
This will also be shared on our social media platforms, Facebook @GossipArtCollective and Instagram @gossipartcollective Afterwards, you will be added to our archive list. |