Sculpture Trails

The restrictions and rules of social distancing in 2020 & 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic lead me to shift my focus and attention with my creative endeavours to sculpture trails.

I had been in creative flow making and displaying art installations before the pandemic but once social distancing came into force, art installation no longer felt like the right area to focus my attention. Due to restrictions, many exhibitions were being cancelled or postponed and even if exhibitions were going ahead they would take place with social distancing. My artworks being highly sensory, often in darkened spaces already evoke strong experiences for people, I was aware that there was a possibility an audience travelling through an experience, keeping at a distance and wearing a mask could in itself evoke strong feelings for participants that were not intended to be there, potentially bringing about feelings of anxiety or discomfort. Aware of these factors I made the decision to direct my attention elsewhere.

I focused on making sculptures for display in outdoor sculpture trails and virtual exhibitions. Exhibiting outdoors was a true pleasure and a freedom. People could roam in nature, taking in art with plenty of space and fresh air to feel free and safe.

This offered me the opportunity to concentrate on learning to get casts out of moulds and create my own finishes with patina.

Social media post 2021

‘The last year or so has been a very unusual time for us all so I want to express my deep gratitude for all those who have helped me with my art practice during the pandemic.

I was fortunate to have been able to exhibit both in virtual and outdoor exhibitions in 2020. I found it a real pleasure to be able to show my work at the beautiful Savill Garden where visitors could enjoy viewing the works freely without a mask (keeping social distance of course).

I did not expect such a wonderful response to my piece and it was a incredibly humbling and uplifting experience to have dialogue with my collectors and make personal delivery of their artworks to their homes.

Sales from the 2020 exhibitions kept me very busy in my studio and I have been and am very grateful to be physically working in my little socially isolated world at this time.

I am so, so grateful to my family for their continued love, help and support. It has been priceless. I couldn't have got where I am today without your help and I feel blessed to have been locked in so close to you. Special thanks to my Mum and my uncle for all their hard work. Thank you, thank you, thank you!’