"In the pursuit of acceptance, the desire to be desirable, woman disguises and alters her shape and as she does so, the clothing instrumental in her disguise, becomes a metaphor for woman herself.

Despite its often constricting discomfort and control, its detailed decorative perfection reflects somehow, the secret beauty of its wearer. It tempts, entices and promises the heart’s desires.

Through these strange powers of persuasion the garment becomes itself entangled with, even the object of desire."

A little about my work:

The work on this site represents my journey through the last six or seven years, since art, which has always been a part of my life, took on an even greater significance.

Earliest studies from nature, of pets and of family, exploring newly discovered printmaking techniques were soon augmented with 3D and installation in an attempt to depict my own feelings as woman, daughter, wife, mother.

I began to use objects both found and created as metaphor in the expression of emotions and memories.

Words on samplers and a wedding veil.
Objects owned or worn by my children; baby vests, a teddy bear.
A christening robe to represent the cycle of generations- my mother did not live to see my youngest child, so, both a shroud and a christening robe.
Clothing became a ‘tool’ to represent my thoughts.

Memories of school; PE knickers, purse belts, the uniform. Conforming.
As a woman too, conforming to the accepted image. Struggling to attain the ‘ideal’ shape.

But the perfect female shape has changed constantly throughout history.
The corset has changed the size of and moved the waist up and down. It has enhanced, minimised, uplifted and flattened the breasts, curved the spine, and weakened the muscles for centuries and woman has endured it, to conform to the ideal.

From these thoughts developed an exploration of woman’s underwear, initially its caging constriction and the discomfort this can cause.

But no-one forces modern woman to wear such clothing.

She uses it voluntarily to enhance her ‘good’ features and to hide or disguise her variations from the ‘ideal’, what she feels are imperfections. But even those with beautiful figures, are considered to be more beautiful, more desirable, dressed in such clothing.

It is as though the detailed decorative perfection of the undergarment itself reflects, somehow, the secret beauty of its wearer.

It becomes a metaphor for woman.

It tempts, entices and promises the heart’s desires.

Through these strange powers of persuasion, the garment becomes itself entangled with, even the object of desire.

Curriculum Vitae

Education:

2004 BA Hons (First Class) Fine Art (Printmaking), University of Gloucestershire,
Cheltenham.

1976 BSc Hons (2.1) Botany & Zoology, University of London.

Solo Exhibitions:

Jan-March 2008 ‘China Now’ Foyer case display, Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museum

July-August 2006 ‘Snared’ O3 Gallery, Oxford Castle, Oxford

Selected Group Exhibitions:

Nov-Dec 2009 157th Autumn Exhibition, Royal West Of England Academy, Bristol

Oct 2009 The London Group Open, Menier Gallery London

August 2009 Open Print Royal West of England Academy, Bristol

July 2009 ‘Sub Rosa’ Gardens Gallery, Montpellier, Cheltenham

Dec 2008 ‘Advent Art’, web based exhibition

Oct-Dec 2008 156th Autumn Exhibition, Royal West of England Academy, Bristol

Sep 2008 ‘Counterpoint’, The Space, Stroud

Feb 2008 Originals 08, Contemporary Printmaking Show, Mall Galleries, London

Nov-Dec 2007 155th Autumn Exhibition, Royal West of England Academy, Bristol

Nov 2007 The London Group Open, Menier Gallery, London

Feb 2007 Originals 07, Contemporary Printmaking Show, Mall Galleries, London

Jan-March 2007 Open Sculpture, Royal West of England Academy, Bristol

Nov-Dec 2006 154th Autumn Exhibition, Royal West of England Academy, Bristol

May 2006 6th British International Miniature Print Exhibition (travelling) beginning at Gracefield
-end 2007 Arts Centre, Dumfries

March 2006 Royal Birmingham Society of Artists Open, RBSA Birmingham

Oct -Dec 2005 153rd Autumn Exhibition, Royal West of England Academy, Bristol

July 2005 Re:Invent, OVADA Gallery, Oxford. (Prize winner)

Dec 2004 ‘Here, Now’ Gloucester City Museum & Art Gallery, Gloucester

Oct-Nov 2004 UK Graduates 2004, Stroud House Gallery, Stroud, Gloucestershire

Nov 2003 5th British International Miniature Print Exhibition (travelling), beginning at Gracefield
-2005 Arts Centre, Dumfries

Nov 2003 ‘Conflict’, Cheltenham Museum & Art Gallery

Nov 2003 Open Exhibition, Small Format, Bucheli Gallery, Bath

Oct-Dec 2003 151st Autumn Exhibition Royal West of England Academy, Bristol.

Oct-Dec 2002 150th Autumn Exhibition, Royal West of England Academy, Bristol.