Biography
My initial career began in the IT industry having completed a BSc (Hons) in IT at the University of Sunderland. I undertook a range of administration and IT support related jobs in the North East of England until 1997.
In 1997 I had the opportunity to undertake some voluntary work in Nigeria with the Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) teaching business and secretarial studies. I lived in a small town where local customs including dressing in African attire was the order of the day and my passion for African textiles was ignited.
On returning to the UK in 1999 I joined the Embroiderers' Guild as a way of making friends in Berkshire where I took up a teaching post in IT having completed my PGCE at Oxford Brookes University in 2000. Subjects taught here included computer graphics and multimedia. A move back to the North East in 2004 gave me an opportunity to pursue qualifications in textiles at the local college. I subsequently had an opportunity to exhibit with the Embroiderers' Guild at Durham Cathedral, Hartlepool Art Gallery, Durham Oriental Museum, Alexandra Palace and in Paris.
I have recently completed a BA (Hons) Textiles with the Open College of the Arts (OCA). I am currently still working full-time as an IT Trainer and developing my artwork in my spare time.
In 1997 I had the opportunity to undertake some voluntary work in Nigeria with the Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) teaching business and secretarial studies. I lived in a small town where local customs including dressing in African attire was the order of the day and my passion for African textiles was ignited.
On returning to the UK in 1999 I joined the Embroiderers' Guild as a way of making friends in Berkshire where I took up a teaching post in IT having completed my PGCE at Oxford Brookes University in 2000. Subjects taught here included computer graphics and multimedia. A move back to the North East in 2004 gave me an opportunity to pursue qualifications in textiles at the local college. I subsequently had an opportunity to exhibit with the Embroiderers' Guild at Durham Cathedral, Hartlepool Art Gallery, Durham Oriental Museum, Alexandra Palace and in Paris.
I have recently completed a BA (Hons) Textiles with the Open College of the Arts (OCA). I am currently still working full-time as an IT Trainer and developing my artwork in my spare time.
Exhibitions and Commissions
Solo Exhibitions
Colours of Morocco (2022)
A body of work inspired by visits to Morocco influenced by the art, architecture and landscape of a varied, friendly and visually stunning country.
Heritage Uncovered (2017)
Two and three-dimensional work reflecting the perilous state of museums and heritage sites in Syria affected by the current conflict. This work is aimed at showing the wonderful art heritage which may now well be lost forever. A series of textile pieces have been developed using photographic images as reference points to show a selection of artefacts from different historical eras in Syria.
Group Exhibitions
Washington (2019)
A celebration of Washington at Arts Centre Washington based on Interface Arts' group sketch days around Washington.
Viewpoints (2018)
Selling exhibition at Arts Centre Washington based on Interface Arts' group sketch days in gardens of County Durham.
Viewpoints (2017)
Selling exhibition at Greenfield Arts based on Interface Arts' group sketch days in gardens of County Durham.
Interface Arts Autumn Exhibition - First Class (2017)
Selling exhibition at Locomotion, Shildon.
Interface Arts Spring Exhibition (2016)
Selling exhibition at Richmond Station, North Yorkshire. New machine embroidered mosaic glass bowls exhibited.
Winter Offerings (2015)
Interface Arts selling exhibition in the Galilee Chapel, Durham Cathedral. The exhibition included glass work, photography, textiles, fine art, ceramics and printmaking.
A Stitch Through Time (2015)
An Embroiderers' Guild retrospective showing both traditional and contemporary textile skills.
Autumn Colours (2014)
This exhibition included a range of textiles celebrating autumn.
Mining a Golden Seam (2014)
The exhibition previously shown in the UK was showcased at 'L'Aiguille-en-Fete' Paris, a major trade show showcasing textile and embroidery.
Durham Cathedral (2013)
I recently exhibited with the Embroiderers' Guild at Durham Cathedral. This exhibition was inspired by the Lindisfarne Gospels and was displayed in the Gallilee Chapel at Durham Cathedral in June. The exhibition was subsequently moved to Hexham in September.
Mining a Golden Seam (2011)
This exhibition was set up by the North East Region of the Embroiderers' Guild. all pieces were to be inspired by the mining heritage of the North East. This exhibition toured several venues including the McGuinness Gallery in Bishop Auckland, Woodhorn Colliery Gallery, Northumberland and the Knit at Stitch Show at Alexandra Palace and Harrogate International Exhibition Centre (Pit Disaster and Coal Seams).
Oriental Museum Durham (2007)
Access was given to the Durham City Branch to the Oriental Museum to develop textiles related to the exhibits there. (Tree of Life)
Durham Cathedral (2005)
10th anniversary of the Durham City Branch of the Embroiderers' Guild. Pieces were inspired by Durham Cathedral itself. (Celtic Dragon). This exhibition was subsequently displayed at Hartlepool Art Gallery.
Commissions
Durham World Heritage Visitor Centre (2011)
Commission for embroidered signage for the new Durham World Heritage Visitor Centre.
Colours of Morocco (2022)
A body of work inspired by visits to Morocco influenced by the art, architecture and landscape of a varied, friendly and visually stunning country.
Heritage Uncovered (2017)
Two and three-dimensional work reflecting the perilous state of museums and heritage sites in Syria affected by the current conflict. This work is aimed at showing the wonderful art heritage which may now well be lost forever. A series of textile pieces have been developed using photographic images as reference points to show a selection of artefacts from different historical eras in Syria.
Group Exhibitions
Washington (2019)
A celebration of Washington at Arts Centre Washington based on Interface Arts' group sketch days around Washington.
Viewpoints (2018)
Selling exhibition at Arts Centre Washington based on Interface Arts' group sketch days in gardens of County Durham.
Viewpoints (2017)
Selling exhibition at Greenfield Arts based on Interface Arts' group sketch days in gardens of County Durham.
Interface Arts Autumn Exhibition - First Class (2017)
Selling exhibition at Locomotion, Shildon.
Interface Arts Spring Exhibition (2016)
Selling exhibition at Richmond Station, North Yorkshire. New machine embroidered mosaic glass bowls exhibited.
Winter Offerings (2015)
Interface Arts selling exhibition in the Galilee Chapel, Durham Cathedral. The exhibition included glass work, photography, textiles, fine art, ceramics and printmaking.
A Stitch Through Time (2015)
An Embroiderers' Guild retrospective showing both traditional and contemporary textile skills.
Autumn Colours (2014)
This exhibition included a range of textiles celebrating autumn.
Mining a Golden Seam (2014)
The exhibition previously shown in the UK was showcased at 'L'Aiguille-en-Fete' Paris, a major trade show showcasing textile and embroidery.
Durham Cathedral (2013)
I recently exhibited with the Embroiderers' Guild at Durham Cathedral. This exhibition was inspired by the Lindisfarne Gospels and was displayed in the Gallilee Chapel at Durham Cathedral in June. The exhibition was subsequently moved to Hexham in September.
Mining a Golden Seam (2011)
This exhibition was set up by the North East Region of the Embroiderers' Guild. all pieces were to be inspired by the mining heritage of the North East. This exhibition toured several venues including the McGuinness Gallery in Bishop Auckland, Woodhorn Colliery Gallery, Northumberland and the Knit at Stitch Show at Alexandra Palace and Harrogate International Exhibition Centre (Pit Disaster and Coal Seams).
Oriental Museum Durham (2007)
Access was given to the Durham City Branch to the Oriental Museum to develop textiles related to the exhibits there. (Tree of Life)
Durham Cathedral (2005)
10th anniversary of the Durham City Branch of the Embroiderers' Guild. Pieces were inspired by Durham Cathedral itself. (Celtic Dragon). This exhibition was subsequently displayed at Hartlepool Art Gallery.
Commissions
Durham World Heritage Visitor Centre (2011)
Commission for embroidered signage for the new Durham World Heritage Visitor Centre.