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

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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.

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Bovine Tuberculosis

In 2010 I visited a British Longhorn Farm in Leicestershire where I met Rochester, a prize-winning bull in his prime. At almost 4 years old Rochester’s life had been centered on his first class image and ability to win prizes in the show ring, winning bull of the year in 2009. Following my visit I reproduced Rochester using 5000 used clothing labels, the resulting portrait reflecting on human behaviour and our desire to look good in the clothes that we wear. Sadly I have recently discovered that shortly after my encounter with Rochester he was sold to another breeder where he subsequently caught Bovine Tuberculosis and had to be put to sleep. Terrible news. I also discovered that Rochester’s semen had been kept for breeding purpose and that an offspring had been born. I hope to visit the farm in 2018 and follow the young bulls progress.

Rochester Longhorn Cattle Society 'Bull of the year 2009'

Rochester Longhorn Cattle Society 'Bull of the year 2009'