My work explores the sensory and emotional interconnections and interdependence between animals, humans, insects and plants, drawing on magical and folk practices. I combine a mixture of printmaking processes with the use of vegetable and plant dyes, and ‘fumage’ or smoke drawing.
Recent work references the term ‘Sensitive Chaos’ which was first coined by the German Romantic Writer Novalis who called water ‘ Das Sensible Chaos’ and Theodor Schwenk’s work of the same name, which explores flow patterns in air and water, and which are explored through the smoke flow patterns.
Smoke, Stains, burns, spills and holes intend to provoke responses around human damage and interaction with ‘nature’ and explore rituals of ‘sympathetic magick’
My smoke drawing ‘Fumage ‘method is linked to both Surrealist ideas of accessing the unconscious and more widely, smoke has significance in ritual and magical practise worldwide.
Installations have focussed on creating a relaxed and dreamy state in the viewer to engage with less conscious states of mind.
Collaborations have included most recently working with artists Marian Saunders and Cat Jones as The Aether Collective , immersive sonic installation with live drawing (me) and a collaboration with writer Antoinette Moses on her book of poems called take Pandora for Example, exploring Greek Mythology.
I am involved in curation and community engagement work, both as an artist in my role as Community Librarian for the Cultural Offer Curation of Print Exhibitions including Old Skin New Ceremonies, Once Bitten and On the Edge at Cromer Artspace. I also lead
I originally studied painting studied at Norwich School of Art and MA in printmaking at Camberwell College of Art
I am a member of the London Organisation of Original Printmakers and The Norwich Print Fair. Highlights include winning the Award for Outstanding Work at the Norfolk Contemporary Art Society 2022 Exhibition and showing at The Royal Academy Summer Exhibition ‘Climate’ 2022 .
Das Sensible Chaos by Theodor Schwenk
CV
Selected Exhibitions 2017 – Present
Norwich Print Fair St Margaret’s Church
Words and Women Nunn’s Yard 2017
Bite: Scratch: Resist The Shoe Factory 2017
N and N Open Studios2017 Belfry Arts Centre 2017
Cley Contemporary Cley Church 2017
Norfolk by Design Houghton Hall 2017/18
Once Bitten (curator) Nunn’s Yard 2018
Norwich Print Fair St Margaret’s Church 2018
Smoke Installation Holt Church 2018
Holt Art Prize Gresham’s Theatre 2018
Sudden Windows Salthouse Church 2019
New Skin Old Ceremonies (Curator) St Mary’s Works, 2019
New Work Salthouse Church 2021
Power Up St Mary’s Works 2021
The Sea Cure (contributor to Audio walk /book) Ed. Sarah Lowndes 2021
Norfolk Contemporary Arts Society Norwich Cathedral 2022
(Outstanding work Award)
Norwich Print Fair Anteros Arts 2022
Rivers Edge Ballroom Arts, Aldeburgh 2022
Avant Gardeners Houghton Hall 2022
RA Summer Exhibition ‘Climate ‘ Royal Academy 2022
Installation Projection Out There Festival 2022
Closer to Nature Corn Hall, Diss 2022
On the Edge (Curator) Cromer Art Space 2023
Sensitive Chaos Salthouse Church 2023
Take Pandora for Example Norwich Arts Centre 2023
Love is the Meaning St John’s Church Norwich 2023
You and I are Earth Halesworth Gallery 2024
Artist Employment
Freelance Artist Workshops Sheringham High School /Artpocket 2022
Freelance Artist Family Workshops Out There Arts 2022
Tutor of Etching Print to the People 2017
Including Workshops with asylum seekers
Artist Engagement workshops
MIND with storyteller Hugh Lupton Counter Charm Exhibition 2015
Artist In Residence Cromer Junior School 2016
Artist Workshops City College, MIND 2015
Children’s Workshops Beverley Literature Festival 2010
Print Workshops Thirsk Arts Centre 2010
Print Tutor Foundation Wensum Lodge, Norwich 2010
Tutor, Arc Project, Somerset House, London 2003
Tutor Wensum Lodge, Norwich 200 7
Lecturer (P/T) Adult Education Redbridge Institute 2001 -03
Art Lecturer Foundation and P/T Degree Northbrook College, Worthing 2001 -03
Other Interests.
Meditation, Wild swimming, Walking, Member of Tilted Women Reading Group,
Member of City of Sanctuary Arts Stream
Singer/ lyricist in the band Moths