As an artist and researcher I am working in the field of climate change and environmental behaviour. My current work is exploring the tension between our recognition of the need, but then our inability to change our own behaviour. Posing myself as a typical well-intentioned green aspirant, and provoked by my own admissions of failure, I use conversation as both method and outcome, to encourage a sharing of experience and knowledge, frustration and achievement.
Graduating from the Glasgow School of Art’s Environmental Art degree, I worked as a research assistant for the Department of Sculpture and Environmental Art, GSA before moving back to the South West of England. I am currently undertaking a PhD through Plymouth University (2005-2009) “Conversations: Investigating the ‘value-action gap’ through socially engaged art practice.” (supervisors Malcolm Miles, Tracey Warr, Marta Herrero)
Previous research and artwork focussed on issues of leisure and landscape, exploring our well-documented desires to ‘escape from it all’ to live a simpler life in a rural idyll.
Generally choosing to operate outside of the art world, my last next ‘exhibition’ was a stand at the ECOS Trust “Homes for Good” show at the Bath and West Show Ground 28-29 March 2008.
I was the Arts facilitator of Transition Town Totnes November 2007 - July 2008, where events I have hosted include Helen Mayer Harrison and Newton Harrison “ Greenhouse Britain” at the end of February 2008; Lynne Hull June 2008. A forthcoming project in sustainable design will take place in spring 2009 with Ian Grout of Glasgow School of Art
Solo Works
January 2009 Resolutions Exchange
Birdwood House, Totnes; Plymouth University Library
March 2008 Eco-renovation, House: Receipts III,
Homes for Good Show, ECOS Trust, Bath & West Showground, Somerset
September 2007 Eco-renovation, House: Receipts II,
Devon Art Works, Totnes, Devon
May & August 2007 ongoing Collaborative Conversations with an eco-psychologist, environmental sociologist and community artist. Work in progress
June 2007 ongoing Belonging Work in progress
July 2006 Eco-renovation, House: Receipts I, Dartington Gallery, Devon
April 2004 Insufficiently Prepared Adventurer: Escape to the Country, City Centre and Drumchapel, Glasgow
April 2004 Insufficiently Prepared Adventurer: Escape to the Country, Join Me, Buchannan Galleries, Glasgow
November 2003 The Cabin Exchanged, Hope Street, Glasgow (part of ‘Cabin Exchange’)
February-May 2003 The Truth?, The Terrace Coffee Shop, Garelochead
June 2002 Leaf Cube, Cheddar Gorge, Somerset
Group Exhibitions
May 2006 Conscience Offsets in
For a, Totnes, Devon
March 2005 House, Circus Circus, Glasgow
October 2004 New Media, Taigh Chearsahagh, North Uist
August 2004 The Gang Hut, Spike Island, Bristol
January 2004 Impressions de Nature, Assembly Gallery, Glasgow
March 2003 Left Behind, Britannia Panoptican, Glasgow
November 2002 Workshop, Newbury Gallery, Glasgow
March 2002 Back of Beyond, Hans Price Gallery, Weston-super-Mare
Education
Current September 2005 – December 2009 projected PhD student, Plymouth University (part time) Supervisors, Prof. Malcolm Miles, Dr Marta Herrero, Dr. Tracey Warr
Conversations: Investigating the value-action gap through socially engaged art practice
2002-2004 Glasgow School of Art
BA Fine Art: Environmental Art 2:1, Distinction for dissertation
2000-2002 Weston College, Weston-super-mare
HND Fine Art: Distinction
1979-1980 London College of Printing, London
Diploma in Print and Periodical Production
1976-79 Sheffield University
BA Hons, Ancient History and Classical Civilisation 2:2
1969-1976 The Ridings High School, Winterbourne, Bristol. A Levels: Modern history, Geography, Economics
Publications, conference papers and presentations
Summer 2008 forthcoming Behaviour Change and Collaborative Conversations: the power of the collective individual
Centre for Sustainable Futures, University of Plymouth
March-September 2007 Working in Public, core group participation with Suzanne Lacy and On the Edge, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen,
- ‘Ethics and Aesthetics (plus social change). Can a ménage-a-trois ever work?’ http://www.workinginpublicseminars.org select seminar 1; select studio
- ‘Proposed ethical statement for art practice’ “http://www.workinginpublicseminars.org” select seminar 1; select studio
July 2007 ‘Cacophonous voices, conflicted purposes, Conversations: Investigating the value-action gap through socially engaged art practice’ at http://ocs.ilrt.org/viewabstract.php?id=86&cf=8
All Singing, All Dancing Arts Based Educational Research Conference, Bristol University
Summer 2007 Eco-Purchase Matrix to assist environmentally friendly shopping in
Mendip Sustainable Living: Information Pack Ecos Trust, Langport, Somerset
November 2006 Eco-Renovation: House Receipts I
Falmouth College of Arts RANE Symposium
Work Experience
June 2008 - ongoing Project Manager for 3 Moors, Devon with Helen Mayer Harrison and Newton Harrison
October 2007 – December 2007 Participation Co-ordinator, for More Opportunities: Staged Demonstration Plymouth Arts Centre and artist Barbara Holub
February 2006- July 2006 Project Manager, Art Farm Project, Middle Rocombe Farm, Devon
Project management and administration for temporary art event
September 2004 – June 2005 Research Assistant, Glasgow School of Art, Department of Sculpture and Environmental Art.
Project: Scoping, defining and funding proposal for database and website of art in social and public contexts for Scotland
January 1996-December 2001 Operations Manager, OCN West (adult accreditation agency), University of Bristol,
Responsibility for admin staff, finance, quality assurance, IT and database support, general smooth running of the office, reports to management committee, committee admin
May 1993-January 1996 Department Administrator, MBA, University of Bristol
November 1992 - May 1993 Temporary Jobs:
Christmas Product designer, Minds Eye, Corsham, Bath; Typesetter, South Avon Mercury, Clevedon, Bristol
June 1988-November 1992 Self-employed Graphic Designer
Artful Graphics, providing graphic design, print and project management for own clients
June 1985 – June 1988 Chef/crew on charter yachts in Caribbean and Eastern Seaboard, USA
January 1984-June 1985 Print Manager and Book Designer
Associated Book Publishers
July 1980 – January 1984 Print Manager and Book Designer
Marion Boyars Publishers Ltd