Artist Residency No.1

For the duration of 2015 I have successfully secured funding from Arts Council England to explore the direct casting processes of solid lost wax casting and hollow lost wax, taking inspiration and lessons from the Bronze age and the Ancient Greek period. This will cumulate into a small collection of new woven bronze work that will become the basis for a solo show in October. During this period of reach and development I will be travelling through Derbyshire to undertake artist residencies in various public places such as Elvaston Castle, Matlock Mining Museum and Cromford Mill to name but a few. With each venue the surroundings will directly influence the creative outcomes.

The first venue on the residency tour is in the city of Derby within the historic Arboretum Park which is due to celebrate 175 years this September. This historic park was the very first publicly owned landscaped park in England. In 1840 the park was commissioned by Joseph Strutt, a former mayor of Derby and noted philanthropist. The landscape architect John Claudius Loudon was employed to design the parks undulating banks, planting and sculptural features. Loudon’s design was of great significance and influential in the design of New Yorks Central Park.

The aim of the residencies is to allow the public to engage directly with the artist and the art work, to see and learn about the exploration of the ancient lost wax technique, see the experiments in surface patterns achieved through hand weaving techniques and examine the collection of wax forms.

Being resident in the park has been a great experience and discovering it’s historic story has been fascinating, the park has had a troubled past but seems to be embracing a new chapter, one of which is the successful residency program now in its fifth year.

My time at the Arboretum has come to an end and I have loved be able to see the park everyday, watch spring arrive through the windows, see the park life and the people passing by. It’s been inspiring and as a result I have created over 50 pieces whilst resident there.