About

Artist’s Statement and Details of Exhibitions, Publications and Commissions

Artist’s Statement

I am an artist, working in three dimensions, and my practice is informed by my knowledge of the sciences. Science is my material both in literal and tangible senses and conceptually. I create form and structure by applying scientific ideas with aesthetic intent. In exploring the potential for beauty in Science, my intention is to stimulate curiosity and have the viewer question their assumptions about reality.

As a scientist and educator for many years I developed a keen interest in the theory and practice of all the sciences. I have special interests in quantum behaviour, cosmology and the interplay of chaos and order. As a physicist, mathematics was at the core of my understanding of the natural world and I have carried this forward into my art practice. Where some may see complexity, I know that complicated forms can be generated from very simple mathematical rules.

As an artist, and particularly as a sculptor, I have sought to create objects which are simple on one level but with layers of complexity which emerge as a viewer inspects and engages with a piece. Knowledge gained by handling and working with materials informs the structure of the final pieces. It is a combination of theory and practice.

My most recent works, in particular ‘Community’ and my largest installation ‘Gathered from the Four Corners of the Earth’, have focussed on the bonds that tie society together or, in some way, exclude certain groups. As a person who was disabled by MS at fifty, and had to change career and direction later in life, I identify strongly with others that are excluded. Art must be inclusive, but, at the same time, should allow all to display their creativity in whichever way they choose.

Exhibitions

New Platform Art / np.a Professional Development Programmen 2022 – selected to be part of a group of 30 emerging artists given professional development support by New Platform Art. This is a prestigious selection and will provide information, opportunities and a chance to work with other members of the group and/or established artists.

Wells Art Contemporary 2021 – Wells Cathedral, Somerset. An installation, ‘Gathered from the Four Corners of the Earth’. Four hundred, mostly magnetic, pendulums in the magnificent Chapter House at the cathedral. Selected by jury for a premier location in a beautiful building – 28/8/2021 to 26/9/2021. Event sponsored by Parker Harris. Personal sponsorship from David Evans MBE. Winner of the People’s Vote Award, from 117 artists exhibiting.

Fringe Arts Bath – FAB Festival 2020 strand ‘Outside the Form’ curated by Anthoniy Val. Another opportunity to show ‘Community’. Due to open in May 2020 as a live exhibition but postponed until late 2021 due to the Covid-19 crisis. Open as an online exhibition from 22/5/20 to 7/6/20.

Ferens Open 2020 – Ferens Art Gallery, Hull, UK. ‘Congregation’, a relief of over 400 aluminium and acrylic elements, selected for the annual open exhibition at the Ferens Art Gallery, one of the country’s major regional galleries – 15/2/20 to 26/4/20.

MK Calling – installation of a newly updated ‘Community’ in MK Gallery in Milton Keynes, UK – 14/2/20 to 1/11/20

MK Calling featured over 130 artists across five world class gallery spaces. It showcased a range of established and up and coming artists, celebrating some of the most dynamic work in contemporary art today, including work by Royal Academicians, alumni of The British Art Show, John Moores Painting Prize and New Contemporaries.

London ULTRA 2019 – installation of ‘Community’ in the entrance of the exhibition at the OXO Bargehouse Gallery, OXO Wharf, South Bank, London, UK. The exhibition features 100 artists selected from entries from around the world. I was given a prestigious position in Room 1 of the exhibition – 31/10/19 to 10/11/19.

 (UN)REAL – Science Gallery Rotterdam, shortlisted for exhibition of ‘Community’ in March 2020 at the new Erasmus Science Gallery in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

‘The Forge’ Open Studio – group exhibition with other Digswell Art Fellows – June 2019.

Time & Place – first installation of ‘ Community’, an array of 100 magnetic pendulums each four metres long, as the central work in a group exhibition at Wycombe Arts Centre, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire – April 2019

Untitled – group exhibition with fellow Digswell Trust artists at Brocket Hall, a Grade1 listed country house, near Hatfield in Hertfordshire – September to December 2019.

Turning Corners – exhibition of new reliefs, with Digswell Fellow, Suman Gujral, at prestigious school, Edge Grove, Aldenham, Hertfordshire – September to January 2019

‘The Forge’ Open Studio – group exhibition with other Digswell Art Fellows – June 2018.

Artwaves / Submerge – One of three artists selected by jury and commissioned to exhibit ’36 Magnetic Pendulums’ at Artwaves festival, Bridlington, East Riding, Yorks. – 11/5/18 to 14/5/18

Masters Degree Exhibition – group exhibition – Main Gallery, Todd Building, University of Hertfordshire – 25/9/17 to 29/7/17

Add, not subtract – solo exhibition – Flux Gallery, University of Hertfordshire – 3/7/17 to 16/7/17

Broomhill National Sculpture Prize – shortlisted for the annual sculpture competition organized by Broomhill Art and Sculpture Foundation – March 2017

Shape Open – ‘Power: The Politics of Disability’, group exhibition of work by disabled and non-disabled artists. Entry selected by jury panel – Ecology Pavilion, Mile End Park, London – 19/1/17 to 2/2/17

Invisible/Visible – joint exhibition with Anna Chatwin – Framework Gallery, University of Hertfordshire – 3/5/16 to 20/3/16

A letter in mind – ‘The Art of a Journey’. Entry selected by jury panel – Oxo Tower gallery, South Bank, London – October 2016

Herts Open Studio – group exhibition – STUDIO 13, Vernon Building, High Wycombe, Bucks – May 2013

Arts4Every1 Pop-Up Exhibition – group exhibition – Eden shopping centre, Oxford Road, High Wycombe – June 2012

Publications

Critical Moss – a book edited by Aldobranti, featuring artists working outside of the art bubble. They are either isolated geographically, through disability or through their practice. I have a double page spread, with a picture from the ‘Community’ installation in High Wycombe in 2019 and explanatory text.

ISBN: 9781999584726. Published in 2020.

Commissions / Funding

Henry Moore Foundation Artists’Award – Awarded a grant of £1500 to support my sculptural practice. Criteria included innovation and work of significant quality. Nominated by Unlimited / Shape Arts. Announced 30/6/20.

Unlimited Micro-Commission – Awarded grant of £1000 from Unlimited/Shape Arts, for development of new work, but deferred the award in favour of Henry Moore Foundation nomination. June 2020

Unlimited Impact – Research and Development – Short-listed in December 2017. All short-listed artists join the Unlimited Cohort and receive professional support to develop their careers.