1 Ton = 3000 Used Garments

Like birds and humans, garments also migrate from one country, region, or place to another. Starting their life as a plant for harvesting, followed by weaving and finishing, garment production, shipping and distribution. These 3000 garments have been intercepted allowing them to pause at St Margaret’s Church before they complete their journey abroad to new communities and trade. Arranged in a circle and linked by their sleeves the sculpture reflects the support and inclusion offered in the context of the Church.

Cley Contemporary Art 2019
Cley 19 - BORDERLINES
Exhibition dates: 4th July - 4th August 2019.
I will be installing a sculpture at St Margaret’s Church, Holt Road, Cley, Norfolk, NR25 7TT, comprising of approx 1 ton of used garments.

St Margaret’s Church

2018 Highlights & News

2018 has been an exciting time in my exhibition calendar with the focus around Savile Row, London. I have produced highly detailed work in collaboration with Piccadilly tailor Benson & Clegg. A canvas so precisely measured that it tested even my technical skills. The portrait of King George VI is a permanent feature at Benson & Clegg and lists the George Cross recipients awarded from 1940-2018. Please visit the shop to view the portrait during opening hours you would be most welcome.

I have also produced a portrait of Horatio Nelson using Savile Row’s Davies & Son bespoke label. Although minimal in design compared to King George VI this canvas also tested my skills. It is clear to see my decision-making processes allowing the visible sketch to be seen and making suggestions of Nelson’s coat rather than including the whole detail. 

A highlight of 2018 was selection for the Royal Academy 250th Summer exhibition, both portraits selling at the private views and a second commission as a result of the exposure, thank you Royal Academy. I must also mention a local exhibition at the wonderful 19th century Framework Knitters Museum in Ruddington, Nottingham back in May 2018, it was great to be involved in this exhibition.

Looking ahead to 2019 I can confirm that I will be showing work as part of the INNOVATE exhibition at Derby Royal Hospital from 18thMarch, and also taking part in North Norfolk Open Studios from 25thMay – 9thJune 2019. 

Savile Row and Horatio Nelson

Work in progress and research visits: -
My research during 2018 has taken me north, south and east. North to visit the Nelson Monument at the top of Calton Hill in Edinburgh, the tower recalls Admiral Lord Nelson's victory, and death, at the battle of Trafalgar on 21 October 1805 (aged 47). Also heading south to London to visit Nelson’s Column and the Maritime Museum at Greenwich. I recommend visiting this amazing exhibition if only to see the actual coat that Nelson was wearing at his death. Finally I headed east to Burnham Thorpe in Norfolk, a sleepy little village and the birthplace of Horatio Nelson on 29th September 1758. 

Nelson’s portrait is available to view at Davies & Son, 38 Savile Row until January 3rd 2019.

artsbeat Magazine Derbyshire October 2018

Maggie's Cancer Charity

I donated a Red Rabbit Paul Smith print today to raise money for Maggie’s Nottingham, they support people affected by cancer. Delighted to say that print 17/150 now belongs to the chair of Nottingham Playhouse Trust. I met some amazing patients and wonderful volunteers. The ladies lunch was hosted by Saint James Hotel, Nottingham and Mark Dennison from Radio Nottingham. If anyone would like to purchase a print they are available to order with a donation to Maggie’s.

L is for Labels

Great to see my portrait of Theresa May in "An A-Z of text and textiles in The Embroiderers' Guild Magazine May/June 2018. 

Collaboration 2018

I will be collaborating with BENSON & CLEGG in 2018, using their bespoke label to assemble a portrait of King George VI, (Benson & Clegg are proud to have held the Royal Warrant to His Majesty). King George VI instituted the George Cross award and I will be using the 418 recipients names to assemble the royal portrait. The collaboration will mark the 65th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth's coronation and will be exhibited in the Window at Benson & Clegg, 9 Piccadilly Arcade, Jermyn Street, London SW1Y 6NH, from 1st June - 29th June 2018

2017 Highlights

On 10th February 2017 my work was exhibited with Sue Ryder as part of Light Night Nottingham. I was also invited to run a workshop inviting Sue Ryder visitors to unpick labels from rags that would later be assembled in a new piece of work. In April I had the pleasure of meeting Diana Ali from the Big Painting Challenge at the Private View of the Summer Exhibition, Institute of Mental Health Nottingham University. I also met members of the International Churchill Society at a Champagne reception including Churchill’s Grandson Randolph Churchill. In May I launched a project offering an exciting opportunity for Duke of Edinburgh Award holders to participate. The portrait was a huge success and was exhibited at Royal Tailors Kent, Haste & Lachter in Mayfair, London, and later in Derbyshire to celebrate the Queen and Duke’s 70th Wedding Anniversary. I also had fun creating a canvas of R2D2 from used labels relating to space and planets.

It was a wonderful achievement to produce a commission of Jane Austen for the 200th celebrations at Winchester Cathedral, which also saw the launch of the new ten-pound note. I was interviewed on BBC Radio Derby and BBC Radio Nottingham, also appearing on BBC TV Breakfast and in the BBC Radio Times Magazine. Not forgetting a two-page spread in Australia’s Homespun (Designer Edge) Magazine.  Two of my original works from the collection of 20,000 used labels were sold to collectors and a selection of my work is now available at The Makers, Ashbourne, Derbyshire.

Now looking forward to an exciting 2018.
Happy New Year.