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I am a textile artist. Born in Melbourne, Australia I emigrated to the UK in 2010 to undertake a PhD in ancient history. I have been creating art for as long as I can remember, but more recently my work has shifted from painting and drawing to textile-based arts. It is in this space that I have really started feeling like my voice as an artist can be articulated visually. I have found a way to express that voice though a mixed art-craft approach, including creating the ‘ground’ on which I work through various techniques of handweaving, making and patching bias tape and other strips of fabric together. Onto this ground I embroider and draw to create abstract pieces of art that encapsulate emotive moments. While my paintings were usually very large, my textile art tends to be smaller, more intricate and detailed – although I hope to make some much larger pieces in the future.
Although the ‘wrong way around’, I am currently undertaking a BA(Hons) in Textiles at the Open College of the Arts, alongside establishing a fabric design practice. Both of these avenues feed directly into my art making – helping me to continually push the boundaries of expression and integrate new skills and media into my approaches. I am inspired by abstract mixed-media work, ancient (Greek) history (which my first three degrees is in!). My favourite artists are Cy Twombly, Robert Rauchenberg, Tracy Emin. I am inspired by the patterns in the world around me, by the effervesce of my daughter. My work often explores the darker aspects of living with chronic mental illness. |