About me:
I am an artist / puppet maker based in Manchester.
Recent solo exhibitions at Chapman Gallery, Salford February 2010
Vernon Mill, Stockport May 2009
Dolls, relief sculpture and drawings explore ideas and feelings of melancholy, isolation and fear. Shadowy figures offer a darkly romantic vision of a dreamlike alternative reality.
The puppets are made from re-used materials, old clothes, bedding etc using old furniture and found objects as props. The method of 'wrapping' with rags suggests mummification and refers to the opposing processes of natural decay of the body and the desire to artificially preserve it.
The work relates to the preserved ancient human bodies to be seen in museums, such as Egyptian mummies and bog bodies. It also references Medieval macabre and the Pre - Enlightenment popular beliefs in the 'other people' - beliefs in the supernatural that were held by almost everyone not so long ago, but now linger in the collective unconscious, in irrational fears of darkness, ghosts and the unknown.
The aim is to create a macabre alternative vision of reality, which by its dark humour and creepy suggestions, seeks to question our own death denying culture.
News:
My recent exhibition at the Chapman Gallery, University of Salford finished on 27th February; but for those who may have missed it, there are two pieces to be installed at the Mary Seacole Building, also at the University of Salford. The two works called 'Pieta' and 'Melancholy Girl' 2009 will be displayed on the 2nd Floor of the building as part of the conference 'Dying to Talk', from Monday 15th March to Friday 19th March.
