2025 Leeds Summer Group Show

I am delighted to have been selected to show ‘Porth Cwyfan map’ and ‘Delineation Line’ as part of this annual open summer show in Leeds.

Porth Cwyfan map

Materials: Beach towel label, paper, plastic, seaweed, unravelled synthetic rope and wood.

12 cm x 16 cm

The objects were gathered from Porth Cwyfan, Aberffraw in Anglesey, North Wales. It’s a rugged bay looking out onto the 12th-century St. Cwyfan’s Church that sits on a small island accessible by causeway at low tide.

Latitude/Longitude: 53.186404, -4.488518

The components for the piece, when laid out, represented weathered items with evident traces of the past but no discernable meaning. During the construction process to find balance in the composition, they appeared to create a unique but unfathomable map; a guide to an unplanned journey with no way finding markers or territorial boundaries but possessing an obvious history. The orange weaved wood a signifier defining a point of departure.

The exhibition is open from 3–23 July at Leeds Playhouse in the city centre.

Both pieces are for sale.

In early June I moved out of the loft at home into one of the new spaces at Red Lane Mill studios at Sunny Bank Mills in Farsley, Leeds.

"Sunny Bank Mills offer beautifully restored creative business spaces for both small and large organisations. Sunny Bank Mills Gallery is the epicentre of our arts programme, spanning exhibitions, workshops, studio spaces and events, and the Sunny Bank Mills Museum & Archive protects and promotes the history of the mill and the community."

Red Lane Mill is a large, airy space with a lot of history to share in the fabric of the building. Alan who was the owner of Gallagher and Bell a carpentry company previously based in Red Lane Mill called into see the recent transformation. He was able to identify evidence of the marks that his machinery has left behind on the floor and on the walls where he cleaned his brushes.

There are fifty artists and makers' studios spread across the historic Spinning Mill, Twisting and Red Lane Studio. I’m looking forward to getting to know the other studio holders and the wider Sunny Bank community. 

Feel free to call in and say hello If you’re making a visit.

I had a fantastic opportunity to participate in Roundhay Open Studios at St Edmunds church as a guest artist during the early May bank holiday in 2025. The chance to talk to so many visitors about my work was very insightful. 

I outlined my restrictive (and often frustrating) process using hand construction methods along with the materials I find i.e., no nails, glue, paint or screws to bring elements together or paint for that matter. When I talked about wrapping, binding, wedging, stitching, weaving and knotting people started to engage with each piece on a much deeper level connecting directly with the materials and exploring their history. I thought my process was clear to see but obviously not so very helpful feedback.

I was delighted to sell quite a few pieces along with greeting cards. Some visitors kindly took the time to share their thoughts:

 “Art to sit and dream with”

“Inspirational, wholesome and therapeutic – love this approach”  

“Very inspiring, I'm going to get creative again”