My Journey
The journey that I have taken as an artist has been a long and circuitous one, one of discovery and healing whilst punctuated by intense periods of revelation that have propelled me towards my current working practises.
A pivotal point in my life story was when I was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and PTSD in 1990. It was at this point that my artistic journey began, as I had to give up running my own business. My first approach to painting was quite traditional, focussing on landscapes, whilst experimenting with various styles and mediums. As soon as I started a Foundation Course in 1994 followed by a Degree in Fine Art there was an immediate transition to more conceptual work. I was still experimenting and became interested in fusing together different art forms, which included textiles, printmaking and painting. Thematically, I was exploring issues of identity and disability, whilst exploring psychoanalytic and feminist art theories and practitioners.
After graduating, I mounted my second 'Open House exhibition' in Hove as part of the festival gallery trail. I saw this as an opportunity to showcase my degree work, which was my first truly mixed media piece, and an attempt to explore the impact of my disability, and its effect on my sense of identity. I continued to create new work, exploring a variety of different techniques and ideas, but without the continuity provided by an institution such as a University, I became confused about my direction.
In 2000 I decided to set up an Art & Health Project, assisted by funding from South East Arts, which proved crucial in relation to my development as a mixed media artist. This provided me with a necessary opportunity to break free from old modes of thinking and develop new ways of working. Working alongside a person centred art therapist facilitated a renewed sense of self-empowerment and gave me an invaluable insight into what I put on the canvas and why. This facilitated a shift towards a more holistic approach, particularly in respect to my health. It also provided me with the space, autonomy and courage to be me on the canvas, and to always cultivate a sense of play when creating new work, allowing each piece to evolve at its own pace.
I now produce abstract pieces, which include figurative and symbolic elements.
This came about as a natural progression mainly through the exploration of
diverse materials and by working intuitively. Artists such as Tapies, Nicholson
and Salcedo have also inspired me, particularly in the development of textural
surfaces and spatial concepts. I hope that my work can act as a touchstone
for others; either to inspire experimentation or in mobilising emotions.