General Introduction
As well as being a book artist I am a printmaker/graphic designer and a full-time Senior Lecturer in Graphic Design at De Montfort University, Leicester, UK.
I am also in the process of studying part-time for a PhD in Sustainable Design at Kingston University, UK. My practice-based PhD is concerned with the use of Rejectamenta (“Things thrown away” - Webster’s 1828 Dictionary) by selected contemporary creators(currently practising designers, artists and craftspeople).
The intent of the PhD research is to challenge preconceptions about the use of waste materials. It will show (through a variety of examples of contemporary creative practice) that items that initially hold negative value can be transformed, through the creative process, to objects that have a positive aesthetic value. I am due to complete my research in December 2008.
More info about this work can be found at
http://www.rejectamenta.com
My book works are all linked to the use of rejectamenta -
either by the theme or by the recycled materials that I have used.
Exhibited books/work/articles
2008
8th November – selected artist’s books and ‘Re: Catalogue’ 2008
with Melanie Bush at 3rd Manchester Artist’s Book’ Fair, UK.
3rd - 14th November – selected artist’s books and ‘Re: Catalogue’
2008 with Melanie Bush – as part of selected work from ‘Re:’
exhibition (exhibition co - curator) at The University of Portsmouth, UK.
18th July - 23rd August – selected artist’s books and ‘Meeting in the Middle Catalogue’
2005 with Melanie Bush & Louise McDonald shown at ‘Unfolding’ The Art Shop & Gallery,
Abergavenny, Wales.
12 July - 23 August – selected artist’s books and ‘Re: Catalogue’ 2008 with Melanie Bush for
‘Re:’ (exhibition co - curator)at artworks-mk, Milton Keynes, UK.
9 - 29 May – selected artist’s books and ‘Re: Catalogue’ 2008 with Melanie Bush for
‘Re:’ (exhibition co - curator) The University of Northampton Gallery,
Northampton, UK.
Books made from multiple discarded photocopy cards
Book made from multiple discarded business cards
11 & 12 April – selected artist’s books shown at The Society of Bookbinders 4th Biennial
Training Seminar, at Loughborough University, UK.
2007
Winter 2007 - article on 'ABC' exhibition published in USA bookarts journal 'Bound and Lettered'.
November 2007 - created series of 10 're:use – rejectamenta resource' books for 2008 're:' exhibition and final PhD submission.
Housed in reused iMac remote-control boxes.
Chinese ephemera / Barcode collection
Clothes labels / Assorted labels
Entry tickets / Japanese ephemera
Singapore ephemera / Train tickets
Luggage labels / Dropped postal tags
October 2007 – co-written illustrated article 'Meeting in the Middle - a book arts collaboration' with Melanie Bush, published in UK book arts journal 'The Blue Notebook' Volume 2, No. 1
September 2007 – exhibited 'Re:use pocket books' (2007), Badges
(2005+6), ‘Cyanotype’ circular books (2007), ‘Collaborative Cubes’ (2007), collaborative ‘ABC Catalogue’ (2007), with Melanie Bush & Louise Bird at 2nd Manchester Artists' Books Fair.
Stand showing assorted books by 'we love your books' members.
Summer/Autumn 2007 – devised 'Re:use pocket book' for 're:' exhibition.
Empty 'Re:use pocket books' waiting to be filled
Summer/Autumn 2007 – submitted altered book 'Peace' to an exhibition of altered books curated by Celia Jackson and exhibited at The Flock Gallery, School of Art, Media and Design, University of Wales, Newport.
Thursday 4th October - Thursday 18th October 2007.
Exhibition then toured for 2 weeks to Newport Central Library. All the books were then
catalogued and made available for borrowing from library stock, either as a collection for
exhibition, or individually.
'Peace' (August 22nd 2007). Original book on The War
of the Roses which ended on August 22nd 1485.
Summer 2007 – 100 bookmarks submitted as part of Sarah Bodman's Bookmarks V project - Centre for Fine Print Research, University of West England, Bristol, UK.
Bookmarks set based on ephemeral bookmarks (2007)
May/June 2007 – Co-curator of 'A (is for add) B (is for book) C (is for Collaborate)' open exhibition of creative artists' books held at The University Of Northampton (toured to Herefordshire College of Art & Design August–September 2007).
Selected alphabet cubes entered for ABC (2007)
Circular four-part cyanotype book entered for ABC (2007)
'U is for unwrap' - collaborative book with Melanie Bush entered for ABC (2007)
May/June 2007 - work exhibited in group show 'Art from Detritus' curated by Vernita Nemec and held at The Synagogue for the Arts, Tribeca, New York, USA.
25 April to 11 May 2007 – entered altered book to Sarah Bodman's Regenerator project - Centre for Fine Print Research, University of West England, Bristol, UK shown at Off-Centre gallery, Bristol.
'Regenerator book'
Selected PhD work
Badges for 'Meeting in the Middle' exhibition & Rejectamenta badges.
Spreads from PhD visual diary.
Spreads from PhD visual diary & submission for 'Art+Start' archive.
Exhibited books/work 2006
Co-author of Random Journey/Full Circle catalogue in UWE bookarts archive.
Autumn 2006 - article and work published in USA bookarts journal 'Bound and Lettered'.
September 2006 - exhibited at First Manchester Book Arts Fair.
Stand showing assorted books by 'we love your books' members.
May/June 2006 - ‘Rejectamenta3’ at the Fletcher Foyer Gallery, DMU
(De Montfort University) Leicester UK.
Cmyk screenprint series 'rejectamenta' & grid of recycled slide cases containing rejectamenta.
May/June 2006 - work exhibited in group show 'Art from Detritus' curated by Vernita Nemec and held at The Synagogue for the Arts, Tribeca, New York, USA.
May 2006 - co-curator and exhibiting artist ‘Full Circle/Random Journey’ (international exhibition of experimental and artist’s books) held at The University of Northampton, UK.
Cmyk book series - based on screenprints & book made from bits of rejectamenta.
Spiral slide book containing rejectamenta.
Exhibited books/work 2005
November 2005 – work exhibited at LAB '05 (London Artist’s Book Fair at the ICA, London, UK)
May 2005 - co-curator and exhibiting artist ‘Meeting in the Middle’ (international exhibition of experimental and artist’s books) held at The University of Northampton, UK.
‘Meeting in the Middle’ exhibit 'Paper Wraps Rock'.
May 2005 – co-curator and exhibiting artist ‘Is Mail Art Dead?’ (touring exhibition) held at AUT (Auckland University of Technology) New Zealand.
April 2005 - work exhibited in group show'Art from Detritus' curated by Vernita Nemec and held at The Synagogue for the Arts, Tribeca, New York, USA.
Exhibited books/work 2004
May/June 2004 – co-curator and exhibiting artist ‘Is Mail Art Dead?’ held at The University of Northampton, UK.
Mail art exhibits hanging from ceiling.
April 2004 - work exhibited in group show 'Art from Detritus' curated by Vernita Nemec and held at The Synagogue for the Arts, Tribeca, New York, USA.
Exhibited books/work 2003
June/July 2003 - group exhibition: '6' at the Gallery, UCN, Northampton, UK (PhD work in progress).
'6' exhibits - screenprints and etchings.
2003 - selection of work published in Kalliope (journal) vol XXV no.1.
Exhibited books/work 2001
April 2001 – ‘Rejectamenta2’ at the Gallery, UCN, Northampton, UK.
Exhibited books/work 2000
October 2000 – ‘Rejectamenta’ at the Upstairs Gallery, The City Gallery, Leicester, UK.
Exhibited books/work 1999
December 1999 – ‘Open Exhibition’ at The City Gallery, Leicester, UK.
December 1999 – ‘Withdrawn’ at The Ark, Leicester's Environmental Resource Centre and Green Restaurant, UK.
August 1999 – ‘Consuming Habits’ at Phoenix Arts, Leicester, UK (joint exhibition).
Exhibited books/work 1998
December 1998 – ‘Encapsulation’ at The Ark, Leicester's Environmental Resource Centre and Green Restaurant, UK.
December 1998 - Winner of seasonal card competition at The City Gallery, Leicester, UK.
Employment & Current Studies
Currently full-time Senior Lecturer in Graphic Design at DMU (Leicester) UK.
Co-director of Henry's House Design Co-operative Ltd, Leicester, UK.
Studying part-time for a PhD in Sustainable Design at Kingston University, UK. Due to complete December 2008.