Collections
Agatha, a life of ladders and snakes
Agatha: A Life of Ladders and Snakes is a series of digital collages developed during her time living on the English Riviera, inspired by the life of Agatha Christie. The works draw on moments from Christie’s life, from childhood imaginings to memory loss and recurring nightmares, translating them into layered compositions structured around the symbolic motif of stairs. Exploring themes of instability, ascent and descent, the series has been exhibited across the UK and internationally, with a particular resonance at Burgh Island Hotel, where Christie once wrote.
Lost
The Gunman
2010, digital collage
In December 1926, Agatha had a car crash and subsequently lost her memory. She couldn’t remember her way home and ended up in Harrogate.
The Gunman
The Gunman
2010, digital collage
During her childhood, Agatha would have terrifying recurring dreams centred around the presence of a gunman. He would give her ‘a horrid feeling of fear’.
New Beginning
2010, digital collage
After her divorce from Archie Christie, Agatha took the opportunity to travel abroad and met her second husband Max Mallowan. She wrote many more novels based on her travels with him.
Storytelling
Sunworshipper
2010, digital collage
Agatha carried many stories in her head. She would juggle eight characters or more all interacting with each other and having a motive or opportunity to commit the crime.
Mind's Eye
Sunworshipper
Sunworshipper
2010, digital collage
At a young age Agatha created imaginary characters including The Kittens, Mrs Benson, Mrs Green and even her yorkshire terrier Toby was involved in her imaginary adventures.
Sunworshipper
Sunworshipper
Sunworshipper
2013, digital collage
Inspired by the novel Evil Under the Sun, which was set and written at Burgh Island.Even on a quiet holiday Poirot can not escape a murder mystery!
Daydreaming
The Announcement
Daydreaming
2011, digital collage
A fictional 1920's cocktail Party with Agatha in the foreground inspired by all the murderous events. The guests include victims, witnesses and of course murderers.
Alone
The Announcement
Daydreaming
2010, digital collage
Although Agatha had a happy childhood it was also a lonely one as she was prevented from going to school at a young age. Consequently she developed a wonderful imagination to entertain herself.
The Announcement
The Announcement
The Announcement
2013, digital collage
Inspired by the novel And Then There Were None, which was set and written at Burgh Island. Ten people all complicit in death receive shocking news.
Success
Dance Hall
The Announcement
2010, digital collage
Agatha’s literary career was taking off. The realisation was beginning to come to Agatha that perhaps one day she might become a writer by profession. Thus she was able to afford the little luxuries in life.
Dance Hall
Dance Hall
Dance Hall
2010, digital collage
Agatha met her first husband Archie Christie at a dance hall. As a young woman she had always looked forward to the day she would marry.
Poison
Dance Hall
Dance Hall
2013, digital collage
Whilst working at a dispensary Agatha was inspired to write her first detective novel. Poisons were all around her and so it was unsurprising that death by poison was central to the plot.
Working the Red Carpet
Working the Red Carpet
Working the Red Carpet
2011, digital collage
This piece began with an early fascination for the history of the English monarchy. In school, we learnt all the Kings and Queens, to give us an idea of a period of time. Years later, I brought them together in one room, to see if they can get along with each other, and whether our contemporary audience are still interested.
The Golden Palace
Working the Red Carpet
Working the Red Carpet
2011, digital collage
From historical extracts, novels and TV series the medieval church is perceived to have had a gloomy impact on society. I wished to focus on the necessities of luxurious objects such as gold, jewels, keys and other ornate items, for the institution and worship.
A Sense of Place
Working the Red Carpet
2013, digital collage
I was interested in looking at children's self identity and whether this would be affected by a temporary home. During World War II, the young evacuees’ life in their adopted homes was for some a special place that fostered a sense of belonging and for others had a negative impact.
A Ticket to Devon
A Ticket to Devon
Brixham, 2013, digital collage
A chance to go back in time and capture the spirit of excursion in the early 20th century. The travel posters depict travellers, taking a stroll around the picturesque towns of South Devon.
A Ticket to Devon
A Ticket to Devon
A Ticket to Devon
Paignton, 2013, digital collage
A chance to go back in time and capture the spirit of excursion in the early 20th century. The travel posters depict travellers, taking a stroll around the picturesque towns of South Devon.
A Ticket to Devon
A Ticket to Devon
A Ticket to Devon
Torquay, 2013, digital collage
A chance to go back in time and capture the spirit of excursion in the early 20th century. The travel posters depict travellers, taking a stroll around the picturesque towns of South Devon.
An Eternal Dream
An Eternal Dream
An Eternal Dream
2016, digital collage
An Eternal Dream explores the tale of Sleeping Beauty, with a young woman peacefully asleep in the Garden of Eden.
Trapped
An Eternal Dream
An Eternal Dream
2016, digital collage
Trapped derives from the story of Rapunzel, who becomes birdlike, trapped in her own cage.
Sorrow
An Eternal Dream
The Secret Ball
2016, digital collage
Sorrow shows the story of The Snow Maiden, enclosed in a snow dome yearning to be with others.
The Secret Ball
The Manacled Mannequins
The Secret Ball
2016, digital collage
The Secret Ball is inspired by the story of Cinderella, revealing the silly and outlandish behaviour of upper class during the Regency era.
The Manacled Mannequins
The Manacled Mannequins
The Manacled Mannequins
2014, digital collage
The Manacled Mannequins is based on the Twelve Dancing Princesses, who escape every night to dance. They are eventually discovered and the eldest daughter is made to marry an old soldier. In my version the daughters are trapped as dolls in a never-ending wheel, with the freedom to dance but can never leave.
Ain't She Sweet
A collection of films and installation, 2017, 2019, 2022
These experimental films look at historical and contemporary perceptions of women, exploring the effects of media, advertising and other popular culture. The films questions whether images and text from magazines and advertisements sells an illusion, destroys self esteem and encourage us to be someone else or a 'better' version of ourselves.
I Died for Beauty was selected for SVOX.TV Film and Video Arts channel in 2020.
Credits
Music (collage animation): Peter Richards
From Girl to Doll
Film & Installation, 2022
In this immersive installation, over 50 dolls, sprayed and hand-painted in designs inspired by bondage, hang in formation, inviting the viewer into a dark, provocative world. At first glance, they appear decorative and vulnerable, reduced to unconscious objects of desire. But on closer inspection, their presence begins to shift: they confront, they claim space, they assert power.
The work draws inspiration from Living Dolls: The Return of Sexism by Natasha Walter, and reflects on themes of control and history found in George Orwell’s idea that “He who controls the present controls the past.” The title From Girl to Doll echoes this sentiment, suggesting how dominant narratives shape not only women’s futures but also their identities from childhood.
A distorted film loop featuring the first Barbie commercial and archival fragments flickers in the background, disrupting nostalgia with discomfort.
Originally shown at LAC's Weight and See exhibition in the Undercroft Gallery, Norwich, the installation invited visceral reactions from audiences:
“The dolls scared me but really made me think.”
“Loved the suitably sinister doll film and installation.”
“That Doll installation piece is just incredible.”
“Very moving.”
“The dolls are traumatising.”
“10/10! Amazing work!”
A Home and a Husband
Collage animation, 2020
The collage animation draws on a museum’s Ironstone cottage, artefacts and archives to give a playful insight into a woman’s perspective of cottage life during the late Victorian and Edwardian eras. The experimental film explores the role of a housewife, drawing on research from women's experiences in Scunthorpe and nationwide.
This project was created during a six-month artist residency at North Lincolnshire Museum and supported by North Lincolnshire Council and Arts Council England through the Humber Museums Partnership.
The film also screened at Elysium Gallery, Swansea and discussed at BBC Radio Norfolk.
Credits
Music by Peter Richards.