| I am a photographer/visual artist and for the past 12 years my creative practice has focused on issues of physical and mental health, making visible that which is often hidden from view. Working primarily with photography, digital imaging and installation in imaginative and experimental ways I have attempted to demystify these issues. The collaboration with others has been crucial to this work, and in enabling its creation people have shared their intimate stories related to states of mind, personal and family secrets, and the challenges of parenting. |
| As well as creating my own work I have extensive experience of working as both artist and facilitator in education, and with marginalised groups in both educational settings and the community. Where this work has often been most successful is when I have used my creative process as a starting point, sharing the content and creation of my work as a means of encouraging participants to find their own voice.
I would welcome new commissions as well as the possibility of new collaborations. |
| As part of my own professional development I have an on going mentoring relationship with Professor Helen Storey. The focus is on developing a more considered, professional and sustainable approach to my own practice and my work with others. Alongside the mentoring I am involved in a continuous programme of peer support with Bristol-based artist Luci Gorell Barnes. I have also received valuable support through the Arts & Business South West Skills Bank initiative, and in recent years I have benefited from the ArtsMatrix DNA programme. |
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| 2008 - | NGD (New Generation Documentors). Setting up and co-running a collective of adults and young people with colleague Sandra Barefoot and NGD core members. Using documentation to explore young people’s perspective on education and creative activity in the SW and their role as agents of change. |
| 2008 | Photographic evaluator for Wonderland, a collaboration between artist Professor Helen Storey and scientist Professor Tony Ryan to create real solutions for a more sustainable world. Working particularly around the education programme in London and Sheffield. |
| 2008 | Photographer for Bristol 1807 – a sense of place schools’ programme. Documenting writer and performer Toby Hulse working with children from two Bristol schools and their families to research the lifestyle, customs and physical makeup of the city in 1807.A Bristol Libraries initiative. |
| 2008 - | Lead artist/advisor for START, Arnolfini. A programme of work looking at ways in which documentation can enrich educational visits to Arnolfini’s exhibitions and live events. |
| 2007/8 | StyaB creative mentoring programme. Set up and running of a pilot supporting a small group of young people across Bristol in their creative practice. |
| 2006- | Heavy Words: a visual exploration of cervical cancer in collaboration with Dr Gillian Rice and Bedminster Family Practice, Bristol. |
| 2004 - | A to Z of Motherhood: personal image/text project piloted around the streets of Southville, Bristol as part of the Southville Arts & Performance Trail. On-going project. |
| 2003 - | Photographer documenting arts, education and community projects. |
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| 2003/2007 | CP Advisor for Bristol Creative Partnerships. Particular emphasis on exploring the potential for documentation across the curriculum, and working outside mainstream education structures. |
| 2006 | Creative Lab: using my creative practice as a starting point to encourage the creative process for children and young people whose medical needs prevent them from attending mainstream school. Commissioned and supported by Creative Partnerships Bristol. |
| 2004/5 | Hidden Images: the Secret World of Genetic Disorders. Collaboration with poet Alyson Hallett using digital images, installation and poetry to begin demystifying genetic disorders.Arts Council South West, Art for Life & University of Plymouth funded. |
| 2003/4 | Artist mentor for 5x5x5 = Creativity in the Early Years. NESTA funded research project in Bath & North East Somerset, to establish creativity as an essential foundation of early learning. |
| 1999/2003 | Babel Project Co-ordinator: Bath Festivals Trust: visual arts & literature project for 13 - 25 year olds working in schools and community. Commissioning artists & programming events at the Literature Festival. |
| 2002/3 | Consultancy work for Art for Life: Taunton & Somerset NHS Trust. Short term contract researching the feasibility of using the Arts to demystify genetic disorders. |
| 2002/3 | Artist's commission for 5x5x5=Creativity in the Early Years. Collaboration with artist LuciGorell Barnes exploring creativity in an Early Years setting in Bath & North East Somerset. |
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| 2005 | Hidden Images: The Secret World of Genetic Disorders. Touring exhibition created through a creative collaboration with poet Alyson Hallett. Taunton Central Library, Dorset County Hospital. |
| 2004 | A to Z of Motherhood: personal image/text project sited around streets in Southville, Bristol as part of the Southville Arts & Performance Trail. |
| 1998 | Immaculate Conception: Konicus Gallery, Bristol. Installation exploring 40 weeks of pregnancy. |
| 1997/8 | KEEP OUT OF REACH: Prema Arts Centre, Dursley. Picton Street, Bristol. Tannery, London. Installation exploring individuals' experience of mental anguish. |
| 1994 | Lifeworks: Watershed Media Centre, Bristol & Bristol Healthcare Trust venues Photographic work resulting from a long-term residency at Barrow Psychiatric Hospital. |
| 1993 | River Crossings: East London Line platforms
Photographic installations commissioned by Camerawork, London. |
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| 1998/9 | Out & About Multimedia Workshops: Out & About Mental Health Project, Bristol
Weekly workshops offering young people the opportunity to explore digital imaging with the aim of skill and confidence building, and re-integration into the community. |
| 1997/8 | Photography workshops with rethink (formally NSF) users, including setting up an independent group of photographers who exhibited and sold their work. |
| 1997/8 | Creative Approaches to Language Learning: South Gloucestershire Council
Long-term project developing a wider and more sensitive definition of 'literacy' through the use of innovative and creative approaches with young people in South Gloucestershire, Romania & Italy. |
| 1997 | Out in the Open: Arts Council Artists in Education Funding
School-based visual arts project collaborating with visual artist, Luci Gorell Barnes exploring young people's experiences of and response to bullying and its relation to the environment. |
| 1993 | Framing the Child: Watershed Media Centre
Residency exploring photographic representation of childhood. Winner of Chrisi Bailey Award. |
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| 2005 | Young People's Voices: Watershed Media Centre. Presenting research project working with children as documentors for Bristol Creative Partnerships. |
| 2001 | Making Creative Connections: Watershed Media Centre, Bristol
Conference presentation about creative collaborations between artists and young people. |
| 1999 | The World Wide Web & Contemporary Visual Arts: Bath Festivals Trust
Project with A Level Art students exploring the Web's potential as a research tool for accessing the work of contemporary visual artists. |
| 1997/8 | Artists Working With People. Spike Island, Bristol.
Workshops for artists wanting to work in the community, formal education & in galleries. |
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| 1995 | Picture My World: Photography in Primary Education: Trentham Publishing.
Arts Council commission to research, write and collate a book for teachers. |
| 1995 | Creating Positive Images: working with primary school girls.
Illustrated essay featured in 'What Can A Woman Do With A Camera: photography for women' edited by Jo Spence and Joan Solomon. |
| 1995 | Framing the Child - Children Representing Themselves: Trentham Publishing.
Primary teachers' study pack produced with Watershed Media Centre, Bristol. |
