“I am a Derby based Artist and have lived here for 26 years, I was trained as a jewellery designer at what was then Derby college back in 1989. I originate from Belfast which is were I completed my Foundation in Art at The Unversity of Ulster.
I have just completed my Fine Art degree in two years and am just about to begin my Masters in Art again at Derby University.
I work in many different meduims but have a love for metal, but also work in plaster,wax and glass. My inspiration for my art comes from my childhood growing up through what are known as “The Troubles” in Belfast. Much of the body of work I am focusing on at the moment is to do with balance and I have based much of it around ballet…”
Please feel free to look at my website:
Participating in the invisible boundaries project has been a wonderful experience. My sculpture has evolved from studying the central fountain. The spiral of the copper pipe represents the free flowing life giving water. The material which people have decorated will be layered over the pipe giving the piece it’s own diverse language. The most amazing part of this residency has been the involvement with the community,art has a way of crossing boundaries and uniting people. I myself feel very strongly that community is so important and is something we all must participate in and value.
The project so far has been so interesting I have met many wonderful and diverse individuals.
On request by myself as an artist to make their mark on the fabric, some got right on it while others needed a little gentle persuading. However as a whole the community have been fantastic and accepted my request of participating in the project with enthusiasm. Many different and original drawings and symbols all different ages and walks of life.
They are all interested in what I am going to do with this 6 meter work of art, so when I tell them it shall be cut into 2 inch lengths to be then wrapped around the copper pipe sculputre they are very intrigued, and look forward to see their drawing etc on the finished work.
I have incorporated poppies throughout the fabric in reflection to the poppies at the tower of London, and have also included sketches of promadent fixtures of the park itself, such as The Boar , Clock, lamps and walkways and of course the wonderful Fountain.
I have really enjoyed this experience it is quite the study in human behaviour as everyone approaches marking their mark on the fabric in so many different styles, some watch others before they start some ask me what they should do, and some even replicate drawings done before, I could write a book on doodle behaviour.
I now am looking forward to finding out what the next few weeks bring….
Meeting the other artists particapating in the Invisiable Boundaries project yesterday for breakfast was amazing, it was great exchanging ideas and finding out what their particular take on the brief was. Each artist had a different conceptual idea and also each individual artist works in a different medium. This is to me the important part of projects such as Invisiable Boundaries, it brings creativity together for a common purpose and brings art and artists into the community.
10th September
Yesterday was so lovely as I walked through the park I noticed how the leaves were changing into their fall colours. I decieded to incorparate them into the piece, so I painted the leaves themselves and used them for printing, now the piece is really a part of the park.
Today I watched a mum and daughter outside the orangey, they were drawing on the pavement with chalks, something I remember doing with my own daughter. It was so interesting as they were drawing spirals…
I looked at my sculpture saw the sprials and felt an instant connection, so I asked mum would they like to become involved with a piece of art… The little girl was happy to and did something I have wanted someone to do she drew round her hand…
14th September
Friday was the day that I soldered the metal part of the sculpture together and it went really well I am so pleased with the finished shape it is just how I wanted it. The lines flow and move it is starting to have a presence and taking form.
The next phase is to cut the fabric into 2 inch strips and bind around the spiral, starting to get excited its a bit like a singer or dancer about to go on stage for a performance if you dont feel nervous then it cant be that important to you, and this is very important to me ….
16th September
The sculpture is completed and at the moment is on its indoor stand. On Saturday the 19th of September it shall be pushed into the ground ,outside the orangery beside my chosen tree .
I have added some beautiful blue painted silk fabric to the top spirals to represent water flowing upward towards the sky of Derby City.
It was a very strange feeling cutting the fabric into the required strips, each person who contributed to the piece came back into my mind, the memories and experience of the project , the chats the laughter, because art really does make people laugh in fact it brings out many emotions and mine have been mixed . Happy to complete the peice but also sad and thoughtful, it has been an amazing 4 weeks and they have flown by so very fast…
I recall the people I have met and the wonderful stories and memories that they have left me with . I feel privileged and grateful for their time and their amazing art and without them I could not have made the work that I have.
I am proud of the sculpture and what it represents not only to me but more importantly to the people and community of Derby….
And if anyone was listening at about 7.15 this morning I was on the Ian Skyes breakfast show talking about the piece….
I am really looking forward to the event on Saturday and hoping to see some familiar faces so lets hope the sun will shine for us all…
