Blog
23 July 2024
Summer Begins, New Job Awaits
It's been a few weeks since term ended and I wrapped up my block of creative facilitation for West London Zone, (now known as AllChild). I was teaching two different classes of children from the ages of 4-8. Life caught up with me, I hardly had time to blog about it. Here are some photos of the work the children created during the last few months, based on creative crafts inspired by Beauty and The Beast.
I have been busy with life changes, adjusting to the sudden heat and namely - securing a new job as a Dementia Support Worker. I have been doing my training over the last couple of weeks, and reading up on alternative solutions for Dementia Care using a person centred approach. I am excited to start this new chapter, and utilise my creative side in this support role!
11 April 2024
Cyanotype Sampling
I first began experimenting with different paper qualities, materials and exposure time for each cyanotype print. I also used wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry to create different end results. I noticed that I can use water as a resist in this process and enjoyed the unpredictable nature of this technique.
I then decided to use the cyanotype process to revisit photographic imagery from "Greenhouse Memories". I documented the process of this hydrangea print, to post on social media. My plan is to explore this medium further as a basis for painting and further embroidery/manipulation.
7 April 2024
"Greenhouse Memories"
This project started when I found myself living with my grandmother in lockdown in 2020. She has progressive dementia, so I was a full-time carer for her as we were shielding.
At the time I was taking photographs around her house, documenting the time that had passed, and disarray of a usually pruned and well-cared for garden. The greenhouse was cluttered and abandoned. This once was a place of protection and incubation for plants and much-loved sunny spot of my granny, now it was gathering dust until it's inevitable destruction.
I intend to create a series of work inspired by nostalgia, my childhood days spent at my grannies, and representing her decline of health and lost memories. I hope my work can bring awareness and act as a visual representation for those who experience mental disorders and memory issues.
17 March 2024
Painting and Drawing Classes with Age UK
After completing the Age UK x Saatchi Gallery collaboration, I decided to continue working further with Age UK Kensington and Chelsea, after building networks and connecting with the local community.
I have been voluntarily assisting with these weekly painting and drawing classes that have a casual, drop-in atmosphere. Service users have the choice to continue their own self-guided creative endeavours and projects, or receive assistance from me to create using different mixed media techniques. Past weeks lessons have included painting alongside music, drawing the view from a window, and still life observations.
1 March 2024
Age UK Kensington & Chelsea x Saatchi Gallery Exhibition Opening
Today, we opened the Learning Gallery to the public, and had a celebration for all of the staff and participants at Age UK. After light refreshments and speeches, we all went up to the second floor of Saatchi Gallery to view the final collection of mixed media works created over the last few months. The exhibition is free to the public and will be on display for another 4 weeks.
1 February 2024.
Age UK Kensington & Chelsea x Saatchi Gallery
Our workshops with Age UK have now sadly reached an end, in preparation for the installation and curation for the Learning Gallery exhibition on the 1st March.
Since November 2023, we held different workshops in response to the Saatchi Gallery's Season of Sculpture. Activities included wire sculpture, carving and wrapping techniques, clay work, protest art, collage and abstract painting using music as an inspiration.
I got involved in this project as Age UK's values and mission are close to my heart. It was a pleasure to work with such a playful and expressive group and I look forward to the possibility of doing more work with this organisation.
