About
My practice is inspired by museum collections, primarily my fascination with classical sculpture. I explore this through photography, printmaking, and engraving. As an artist, I am concerned with how natural elements can be used to produce an artificial image of perfection.
My personal experience informs my interest in the artificial image, specifically the pressure of expectation on appearance and behaviour. Therefore, my work can be linked to the investigation of self, authenticity, and perception. I communicate this affinity by using everyday materials. I use readymade objects such as bricks and handmade tiles to give my photographs a physical aspect linked to lived experience.
My work concerns staged perfection, idealised beauty, unattainable standards, and the associated tyranny of classical ideals. I challenge accepted ideals by subjecting my images to unpredictable processes and presenting the resulting portraits on readymade bricks and handmade tiles. Both bricks and tiles speak of uniformity, manufacture, and mass production. The distorted portraits are juxtaposed with the perfect surface to question the commodification of beauty. Modern-day internet algorithms, filters, and the widespread use of facial aesthetics threaten to turn humans into manufactured clones as we strive to reach the beauty goals set initially in classical antiquity. Perceived beauty standards have never been more tyrannical.
CV
Born, live and work in Manchester, UK. Currently studying at the University of Salford.
EDUCATION
BA (Hons) Fine Art
University of Salford, Greater Manchester, UK
2020 – Present
Foundation Year
University of Salford, Greater Manchester, UK
2018 – 2019
Advanced Levels in Textiles Design and Performing Arts
Aquinas College, Stockport, UK
2015 – 2017
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Hot Bed Press 20:20 Print Exchange
Group Exhibition 2022
I am one of 20 students to be selected Hot Bed Press 20:20 Print Exchange 2022. Hot Bed Press is the largest print workshop in the north of England. It organises, curates, and hosts the 20:20 print exchange, a national and touring exhibition of artists' prints/editions.
Chethams School of Music/Stoller Hall
Group Exhibition 2022
An exhibition of undergraduate works at the Jeremy Howarth Gallery/Stoller Hall in Collaboration with Chethams School of Music, Haworth Charitable Trust, and the University of Salford.
Art Assembly: The City as Art School
Group Project 2022
A major arts festival in Manchester city centre supported by The Art Fund and endorsed by all the key visual arts stakeholders in the city, including HOME, Manchester Art Gallery, Manchester College, Manchester Metropolitan University, and the University of Salford.
Artist Sally Gilford led the exhibition. It included an exhibition in 4 public sites (including Manchester Art Gallery, Piccadilly 111, Sackville Gardens and Fred Aldous) and a podcast with comedian Russell Kane.
The Whitaker Museum & Art Gallery
Solo Exhibition 2022 - Present
I was 1 of 4 students who were part of an artist in residence project. This residence led to an exhibition of undergraduate work at the Whitaker Museum & Art Gallery following its multi-million-pound refurbishment.
Merzbarn Littoral Arts Trust
Group Project 2022
I attended a workshop/residency at the Merzbarn/Littoral Arts Trust in Cumbria. The Merzbarn is the former home/studio of leading and highly influential 20th-century Dada artist Kurt Schwitters.