Undertow residency and exhibition

In 2022, I was awarded a National Lottery Project Grant Develop Your Creative Practice by Arts Council England to undertake a 12-month research-based residency at RISE, Frome. I made an archival search of documents, newspaper reports and photographs; of people fleeing danger and religious persecution travelling across Europe and young people evacuated from London during WW11 to Frome and nearby Bath. My solo show Undertow, which resulted from the research residency, comprised 11 large-scale prints, a major text-collage installation and a video Above the Noise, from 15 September - 5 November 2023.

RISE was a compelling location for this research-residency, as a former chapel of worship and with a continuing role as a place of refuge and sanctuary. The chapel and the town of Frome have provided shelter to several generations of people displaced by war or persecution. My research led to the use of images, motifs and found images to evoke rather than depict, a human presence within the work. The works suggested an otherness, gently reflecting an unsettling dialogue between history and beauty driven by a resonant undertow of loss or dislocation.

I collaborated with artist and art educator Emma Kerr to develop a pubic engagement programme with Vallis School (formerly Milk Street School) and The Open Storytellers (based at RISE) in Frome as part of the project.

Drawing Projects UK presented two online drawing discussions to accompany the exhibition convened by Professor Anita Taylor. These included a Q&A with Gary Sangster curator and mentor for the Undertow project, and a conversation with me and artist/art educator, Emma Kerr. These live online sessions are available on the Drawing Projects UK YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@drawingprojectsuk