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!”