WA3

Tell us about your art practice, what do you make?

I create intricate paper vessels and sculptures from pages of old books.

How do you approach making artwork, what is the process?

I tend to start my work by staining the pages of the book, which is an incredibly playful process allowing the inks to stain the pages and pool where they want to. From then I will manipulate the pages and just see what shapes I can create before usually sealing them in wax to help strengthen them. 

How did you start your art journey?

My art journey was pretty much mapped out for me, after studying art at high school I went on to college and fell in love with the course. Shortly after going on study leave for my first year I had a close family bereavement, Art was the only exam I passed so in my second year I picked up more art subjects and stayed on to do my foundation year at the college. For me Art helped a lot through this bereavement and is one of the main reasons I work creatively with others. Art has an incredibly powerful way of healing you!

What services do you offer? (e.g. workshops, commissions, projects)

Over the years I have delivered a lot of workshops, completed many commissions and worked on a lot of Art projects. I feel being involved in a lot of areas of the arts rounds you as an artist and prepares you for some interesting scenarios!

What does a typical day look like for you?

In between my part time position as an Art Technician my days are usually spent developing workshops and preparing materials for them. 

How has your art practice developed?

When I first started I use to repeatedly fold the pages of old books to create sculptures, now my work is all about taking the books apart and creating sculptures from the pages. I have started to explore colour through the use of drawing inks and sealing my work in wax to preserve them and add strength. 

What is your biggest influence?

I actually met my favourite book artist and it was awful! So I don’t really have an influence… just following a creative journey to see where it takes me!

What is your dream project?

To deliver more art based workshops in the community, as my work is with old books I would love to develop a sustainable arts programme in local libraries where each library has their own artist in residence and the community can see them at work and interact with them through workshops. It’s all about inspiring others to be creative for me!

What do you love about being a Wigan Borough artist?

That there is a great sense of belonging, there is so much creativity in such a small borough and everyone is incredibly friendly and supportive towards the arts. 

What is your biggest achievement?

Being flown out to the English school in Brussels for their World Book Week to deliver book art workshops to their students! I was amongst some pretty important writers and artists and it was just amazing to be given that opportunity to share my work internationally.

What advice would you give to artists starting out?

To just see what happens, for me I have always had an anchor job which has taken the pressure off my artist work and that has always worked for me. Luckily my anchor job relates to Art which is incredible but just keep at it, don’t get disheartened if your applications aren’t successful just keep applying. I’ve had people get in touch over 10 years after working with them to work with them again. It’s about growing one day at a time and creating your own mark in the creative world.