About

I am a textile and community artist using reclaimed and sustainable materials in my work. 

I was born in South Africa during Apartheid and this fuelled my social and community focus which led to my first degree in Psychology, followed by training as an Arts Psychotherapist. From an early age art and textiles have been part of my life with needles, yarn and a sewing machine always nearby.

Over the last few years my passions of environment, psychology and textiles have become integrated in my art works. The materials I use are varied and include natural plant materials and dyes;  regenerative fibres (such as hemp and British wool); reclaimed fabrics and threads; teabags; plastic and scrap metal (from domestic waste).These natural, found and reclaimed materials are intrinsic to my work, not just in making a point about wastage in our modern world but in encapsulating the theme of transformation. The discarded, mundane, and natural are worked through simple, repetitive methods like stitching, weaving and wrapping. I find this process soothing and, as a piece comes together a sense of wonder at a form emerging from disparate parts is integral to my pieces.

My work often plays with variations in size, for example making both, a tiny crocheted vessel from yarn and a large coiled version from scrap fabric. This playful exploration of material and methods has been learned over time. I used to create big yet out of necessity, while balancing motherhood, work and my neurodiverse need to constantly occupy and sooth my mind, I learnt to carry a small project around with me. Now, with a studio of my own, I have the opportunity to enjoy playing with scale and allowing small pieces to become elements of larger projects.

I enjoy the interplay of diverse materials and have begun exploring assemblage, the use of found objects and materials to create sculptures. The discovery of textile artists and artists championing the environment and waste materials has encouraged this deepening of my practise. I must thank modern social media for allowing this expansion of my practise and give a nod to Fiona Campbell, Alice Fox, Julianne Long and Francesca Busca who have inspired me.

My community art projects have included eco-art projects to champion the reuse of household materials, like plastic bags; paddling pools and fabric to create large, bold installations as a means of engaging groups in creating in a simple, accessible way. And a fun way to engage in dialogue around art and wastage.

The other aspect of my community work is slow stitch groups, which offer a more reflective process, creative space, and the option to share experiences. In both contexts I enjoy the collaborative process and seeing how an idea that I have put forward, often evolves, and is shaped by the group.

Works on this site are available for sale - please enquire.