My career so far..
I am a British born painter, community artist and a year 3 Creative Arts Therapy Masters (clinical) student at Whitecliffe College. I graduated with a BA (Hons) in Fine Arts from Manchester Metropolitan University in 2001. I have since facilitated creative projects in a multitude of community settings in England and Aotearoa-NZ. I was given the opportunity to facilitate art workshops in France & Finland. I have exhibited my artwork in art shows in the UK, New York, Australia and Aotearoa-NZ.
I moved to Aotearoa-NZ in 2015, I have been working for Stopping Violence Dunedin since 2017 as a youth worker and art therapist. My role involves facilitating art therapy sessions working with the effects of family violence on young people. In addition, I facilitate community murals that explore ways to give ownership of community space to young people, developing their sense of identity & skills. I also assist different community groups to create public artwork around a chosen theme on a freelance basis.
My approach to community mural making is highly collaborative. I value the creative process and community connection as primary parts of a project. I focus on building connections with the artists I co-create with, whatever their experience level may be. I aim to let everyone’s creative voice be seen within the final mural. I do add extra details and often find myself outlining or tidying up lines at the end so that the mural can look its best. The final murals can look eclectic, I also see vibrancy, creative inspiration and empowerment in them. Through rigorous co-designing, we are able to weave many voices together into one cohesive design, which is then painted by a group.
This is work I love and will continue to do as long as I am invited
2020-2021
-Ōtepoti Mental Health Show, Dunedin, 2021
-WOM Lockdown Inspiration, London, 2021
-MENtal Health Art Show, Community Gallery, Dunedin, 2020
-Nomadic Art Gallery, Aotearoa, 2020.
2018-2019
-Give & Take, Morning Magpie, Dunedin, 2019
-Palette of Poetry, Resene Colorshop, Dunedin, 2018
-HWK Fundraiser, Kings High School, Dunedin, 2018
-Honey Badgers Do Dunedin, Kiki Beware & Daily Coffee, 2018
-The Big Hoot Art trail, Auckland, 2018
2016-2017
-Super Kawaii. Matchbox Studios, Wellington, 2016
-Honey Badgers 2.0. Wellington, 2016
2014-2015
-Plantae group show. In Good Company, Wellington, 2015
-Fools and Horses group show. Copeland Gallery, London, 2014
-Femme Fierce. Cre-8 Gallery, London, 2014
2012-2013
-Girls On Top present Colours. Tower Gallery, Newcastle, 2013
-Mr Sheriffs Artists 20th Anniversary of RC Sherriff Trust. Robert Philips Gallery, Walton-Upon-Thames, 2013
-Type Tasting . A display of creative typography. V&A London, 2013
– Art House, Heatham House Summer Exhibition. Twickenham, 2013
-Girls On Top crew. Bob Bar, Eastside Manhattan, NYC, 2013
-Sweet Arts, Show 1, International Women’s day show. The Crypt Gallery, London, 2013
-26th Chamber opening show, Northampton, 2012
-Art House, Heatham House Summer Exhibition. Twickenham, 2012
-Girls On Top “Sweet” jam (curator & artist) Heatham House, Twickenham. 2012
– Grufts at Graffik. A show of dog paintings. Portobello Rd, London, 2012
-Special Brews group show, The Boilerhouse, Cardiff, 2012
2010-2011
-Creative Minds Group Show. Kingston-Upon-Thames, 2011
-Street Sounds: Fresh Reunion, London, 2011.
-Art House, Heatham House Summer Exhibition. Twickenham, 2011
-Eurocultured X, Blank Space Manchester. 2011
-Hu-R-Yu group show. “Braille Graffiti”. The Hu-Man Gallery, Burnley, 2011
-Girls On Top group show. Lockside Lounge. Camden, London, 2011
-Wholetrain meets Combat Calligraphy, international show. CUC, Liverpool, 2010
-Hope Mill Open Studio, Manchester, 2010
-“Fab Fridge” magnetic street art. Bath, 2010
2006-2008
-Grenade Gallery, gallery opening show. Notting Hill, London, 2008
-“Let There Be Light” 6 month art residency. St Georges Church, Esher, Surrey 2008
-Girls On Top @ the Frisson Gallery, Canterbury 2008
-Writers Beyond the Wall part 2. The Arthouse, Southampton 2007
-Guerilla Zoo Hijacks the Toilet Gallery. Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey 2007
-“Bustin’ Loose”, The Queen Boudicca, London EC1, 2007
-Writers Beyond the Wall. The Arthouse, Southampton, 2006
-“Journeys Beginning” Brooklands Shopping Centre, Weybridge, Garsons Farm, Esher & Robert Philips Gallery, Walton-upon Thames, 2006
1998-2001
-“Funny Ha-Ha” Beatrice Royal Contemporary Art and Craft Gallery, Hampshire 2001
-“Fresh Art” (featured artist) Business Design Centre, Islington, London 2001
-“Mancunian Candidates” Manchester Metropolitan University 2001
-“Year 2” Righton Gallery, Manchester 2000
-Foundation show. Wimbledon School of Art 1998
NZ-
Other clients include: Youth Law, Enspiral, Greys District Youth, Sticks and Stones/Project Positive, Pakiki Kids, Oranga Tamariki, Glenfalloch Gardens, Keep New Zealand Beautiful, Green Island Community Network, Youthline Otago, Birkenhead Town Centre Association, Chorus, Good Good, Little Citizens, Kawatiri Coastal Trail, Otago Motorcycle Club, Taste Nature, Waitati Music Festival, Ōtepoti Hip Hop Hustle, TracMap, Harrow Motorbody,
UK-
Other clients include: Richmond Youth Partnership, Dragonfly Events, Sony Playstation, ‘The Priory’ Radstock, Opening Doors homeless charity, Feltham CLC, Eastpak “Tag My Pak”, Urban Damage, We Are Skyhigh, Events by Interact, Non Conform Agency, City West, Manchester Camerata, Toms Shoes, Knowsley Council, Brugal Rum, NJLIVE, BBC Blast, Hounslow Homes, NBC Universal, Spearfish, EuroCultured, North MusicTrust/Comusica, Capital of Culture- (Turku- Finland), A.R.K schools, Isleworth Explorers,Paragon Community Housing Group, Blackpool Coach Services Ltd, Milkshake Montessori Nursery, Elmbridge Borough Council, Thames Valley Housing Association, Speakeasy (France), Heavenly Dish, Watermans Art Centre, Brighton Youth Centre, Runnymead Borough Council, Sustrans, Feltham Rugby club, The Eikon Charity, East Dulwich Picturehouse, Friends Of River Crane Environment, Surrey Docks Young Farmers, The Conservation Volunteers, Achieving for Children, Dalgarno Trust, plus many individual schools and youth clubs around the UK.
Also: Forest and Bird, Places for Penguins, The Conservation Volunteers and Sustainability Trust.
Please check out my LinkedIn profile if you require further information 🙂