thread stick

Back in 2016 I made Thread Stick using a cherry branch and reels of thread that belonged to my aunt Jess. I've always known I'd make another/others and have begun wrapping a (taller than me) hazel stick with my mum's threads. Precious.

I've got an old Quality Street tin full of black, brown, grey and white thread that belonged to Jess - so that's the fork ended sticks destiny decided.

eight dresses

First experiments in hanging this (as yet untitled) work and beginning to understand what it does. Enjoyed its weight and the tension between each dress form. Plan to play further by taking this piece into the Derbyshire landscape. It's an unwieldy, slippery thing!

dress forms

All eight dress forms are finished in my current project to make a sculptural piece in organza. Each hand stitched and cut from a 1970's pattern. I'm unsure how I'll join them and intrigued to discover the process that will reveal itself as I make... More stitching, more ironing needed to complete this piece...   

q club

Spent the last two Fridays at Derby QUAD facilitating workshops with the wonderful Q Club participants. We made two colour screen prints onto book bags and created wire sculptures and photographed them in the gallery and public spaces at QUAD. Both activities were sparked by Megan Broadmeadow's exhibition SEEK PRAY ADVANCE.

out & about 2017

I'm on the cusp of Out & About 2017! In 2014 I was lead artist on the project, so am recycling, redeveloping & reinventing for todays participants.

Working with three Wakefield secondary schools we are, literally, getting out & about. During the project we will consider Hepworth and her legacy, natural landscape, designed landscape, sculpture in the gallery and sculpture in the landscape. Our exploration is made easy with the wealth of sites and venues on our doorstop: Brimham Rocks, Nostell Priory, The Hepworth Wakefield and Yorkshire Sculpture Park. 

I'm looking forward to lacing up my walking boots, layering up (we are working outside!) and inviting pupils and parents to play, explore, share and create together.

With heartfelt thanks to The Hepworth Wakefield for inviting me to work on Out & About 2017. 

 Prompts in the 'discover for yourself' activity backpack

 Clore Learning Studios at THW

Shiny new!

out & about - june

Out and About is over - boo hoo! See my previous post for an overview of this fantastic project. The images below show our visits to Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Leeds Art Gallery and The Hepworth Wakefield, part of The Yorkshire Sculpture Triangle. 

What I've enjoyed most about Out and About is the depth and breadth of art and sculpture the participants were able to engage with. Each visit building on what had been seen and considered before, gently developing a comprehensive knowledge of contemporary sculpture. Its been a tactile first hand experience engaging hearts and minds as we've shared personal viewpoints, ideas and feelings in relation to the work.

The Hepworth Wakefield was the venue for our final sessions with the three schools involved and with cake and squash we celebrated the achievements of children, parents, teaching assistants and teachers. We hope to see the children again and gave out gallery guides detailing our free family workshops this summer. In the last few days I've met a couple of the children at these workshops and we were really happy to see each other!

 Exploring YSP

 Large Owl (for B), Thomas Houseago at YSP

 Yet to be titled (Large Walking Figure), Thomas Houseago at Leeds Art Gallery

 Drawing outside Leeds Art Gallery

 Talking with the children outside The Hepworth Wakefield

Working in gallery 5 - Franz West and Barbara Hepworth

out & about - may

Out and About is an exciting project at The Hepworth Wakefield working with local school children and their parents exploring sculpture at venues on their doorstep. Firstly, we went further afield to North Yorkshire, visiting the breathtaking landscape of Brimham Rocks and wondering if the rock formations were created by nature or human hands. Our next visit was to Yorkshire Sculpture Park, looking at and touching works by Barbara Hepworth and Thomas Houseago, we also viewed the delicate works of Ursula Von Rydingsvard and the children were transfixed. In June we are off to Leeds Art Gallery and Henry Moore Institute and our final destination will be The Hepworth Wakefield. 

During our project we are considering natural sculptural forms, sculpture in the landscape, sculpture in the cityscape and sculpture in a purpose built gallery. My intention is that the families will gain confidence in looking at art and continue their questioning and exploring together beyond the Out and About project.

With all good intentions I never get a chance to photograph my workshops while working, so here are a couple to whet your appetite, I’ll post more about the project in June.

Explorer backpacks for visits to Brimham Rocks and The Yorkshire Sculpture Park.

Coach activity packs for the long journey to Brimham Rocks!

all aboard

Family fun at The Hepworth Wakefield using grass as a surface for drawing.