Profile

I originally trained as a nurse over 20  years ago and worked at various Birmingham hospitals over a ten year period.  I have also worked in elderly care as a care assistant. My experiences working in a care environment have enriched my life enormously and greatly influence my artwork.  I have always been interested in art and have been creative in some way all my life but it was when I visited a Jackson Pollock exhibition in 1999 and was blown away by the sheer energy and life in his paintings that I decided to take my interest in art much more seriously.  Since then I have completed various art courses including 'Preparation For Fine Art' and an 'Art and Design Foundation' course where I gained a distinction.  I am currently studying for a BA (Hons) Design Crafts degree and will be showing my work at New Designers, London , in 2010.

I have exhibited some of my artwork  at Oxford town hall and Banbury museum and also have work for sale at Rowans Gallery in Brackley.

Artists Statement

 My work primarily focuses on the non functional vessel. Individual, one off pieces explore  forms such as  teapots, plates, and cutlery as well as small dishes and bowls,. These everyday objects  make reference to both function and decoration, however, I am particularly interested in what a piece becomes when the function is removed.   I tend to be drawn towards found objects, full of history and nostalgia as a starting point. My recent body of work focuses on the decline in family values and families no longer sitting around the table at mealtimes.  An installation piece incorperating a  collection of plates and cutlery that looks forgotten and allowed to deteriorate.   I layer different clays and slips to create the aged effect and embrace the cracks and imperfections that occur as a result of an intense working process.

My smaller ceramic pieces once again reflect my fascination with the past, memories and a trace of what came before.  I have a collection of vintage lace, buttons and other objects that I press into the wet clay to create interesting textures which also give the pieces  a sense of history.