I am a passionate artist, jeweller, researcher and educator. My mission is to nurture creativity and sparkle in others through education in the visual arts. My energising strength is curiosity - I am motivated to find out what I don’t know.
A jeweller with words. My current research centred creative practice explores ways of interpreting historical jewellery artefacts. I investigate how creative writing can be used to create a dialogue between textual and visual research. Outcomes discuss themes of narrative, value, materiality and societal challenges adopting a mixed media approach and influenced by training as a jeweller.
I achieved a First Class Honours degree at Glasgow School of Art where I produced a collection of jewellery based on historical narratives and developed a range of metal techniques such as etching, fabrication and patination. I was awarded a scholarship to study at the Royal College of Art, London where I developed a practice based research methodology to explore the college’s archives and collections. The outcomes were a series of playful re-contextulisations of archive material that drew on various cultural, social and political influences.
I gained a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (Secondary Art & Design) at the University of Cambridge and since then I have had 16 years experience teaching secondary through to postgraduate level. This has given me an adaptive approach in supporting learners to achieve their personal goals and career ambitions. Currently I am a Course Director of MA Jewellery & Related Products at Birmingham School of Jewellery.
My values are collaboration and community which I build into my work as an artist facilitator. I have previously worked as an Artist in Residence at Friends’ School, Saffron Walden and completed community engagement projects in museums and galleries such as Kettle's Yard and Birmingham City Library. I am particularly passionate about working with communities to support engagement within a heritage context.