One of the defining things about being British is our obsession about the weather. It is a safe topic of conversation and a source of constant interest. But our climate is also generally benign so it’s rarely more than an inconvenience (more of that in another post…) For the last few years an important component of my practice has been …
Last week I was privileged to get up close to the iconic Cambridge Museum of Zoology Fin Whale skeleton during its rehang. The museum is currently closed for redevelopment but the Collections Manager Matt Lowe invited me down to see the whale in its final stages of restoration. The whale’s new position is suspended from the ceiling of a new …
An important component of my art practice is research. It informs and nudges my work. Accuracy in some ways is vital to me, as is the ability to play with imagery, text and other found content. Quite often I will collect something with no real reason or plan for its use, but am guided by a gut instinct that it …
Last year, when I was just starting my artist in residency at Burton Constable, I was “in residence” for the weekend of the Cornucopia Festival. For three days whilst the sun shone and music played I sat in the barn with the sperm whale skeleton and talked to festival goers about my work. I had a fantastic time. In the …
Wondrous Whale. Sewn whale skeleton, screen printed map, quilted textile. Inspired by the Burton Constable Sperm whale skeleton mentioned in Moby Dick and door panels in the Chinese Room in the Hall. Made as part of my Residency at Burton Constable in 2015/16.
Bower. Screen print. Inspired by the Burton Constable Sperm whale skeleton mentioned in Moby Dick, Moby Dick Chapter 102 Bower in the Arsacides, the Red Frieze in the Gallery in the Hall and a pub sign. Made as part of my Residency at Burton Constable in 2015/16.
Gigantic Fan. Layered screen printed fabric. Inspired by the Burton Constable Sperm whale skeleton mention in Moby Dick, and the journey the whale skeleton took from Tunstall on the coast to Burton Constable Hall. The close up detail shows the map in white that shows both these places. Made as part of my Residency at Burton Constable in 2015/16. …
Sir Clifford’s Whale. Screen Print. Inspired by the Burton Constable Sperm whale skeleton mentioned in Moby Dick and door decoration in the Chinese Room in the Hall. Made as part of my Residency at Burton Constable in 2015/16.
Gothic Spire. Layered digital print and painted fabric. Inspired by the Burton Constable Sperm whale skeleton mentioned in Moby Dick and door panels in the Chinese Room in the Hall. Made as part of my Residency at Burton Constable in 2015/16.
The Measurement of the Whale’s Skeleton. Painted and screen printed fabric. Inspired by the Burton Constable Sperm whale skeleton and the wall and border in the State Rooms in the Hall. Made as part of my Residency at Burton Constable in 2015/16