About the Artist: less fancy/more fun

 

My dad would take me to the local pub when I was 18 months old. As I got older and in some pubs I wasn't allowed in I would sit in his blue transit van, eating sausage rolls, packets of crisps and drinking cartons of Ribena.

I won my first artist competition when I was 5 years old. I got £100, a sit down meal with Neil Buchanon and honestly, I've been chasing that high ever since.

Some of my biggest influencers weren't Turner Prize winners but my A-Level teachers, Simon Cunniffe (https://www.instagram.com/simoncunniffefineart) and James Padgham. They taught me to get over myself and to start thinking big.  I went on to study and graduate from Central School of St Martins, University of the Arts London - I have a beautiful piece of paper (worth roughly £70k with interest - apparently) that I'll sell to anyone that will give me roughly £70k.  

Both Cunniffe and Padgham were fuming when they realised I had only applied to one Foundation course, luckily (probably because of them) I got in. My foundation year at the Camberwell, Wimbledon and Chelsea Foundation Diploma was principally spent experimenting with conceptual art and participating practices, I was obsessed with how easily people were persuaded. My final year at CSM saw me mostly in the screen printing beds, the letterpress studio and out taking photos of protests. 

I would later go on to become an activist working with XR, The Green Party and more local organisations and community centres. I worked in pubs and bars for over 10 years, loving the community and connections with other people. I then moved into politics, standing for local election for The Green Party in Islington in 2022, where I lost, 1,728 to 1,604. I worked for The Green Party, a few community centres and St John Ambulance before I had the opportunity to chase that high of my first prize win. 

In 2024 I started up shop (literally - on Etsy), and have been working away ever since. I was included in an exhibition of local artists at The Playroom, a gallery on Junction Road, N19 in May 2024. I had my first solo show in July of 2024, focused on pub culture and held in my second home (my local pub) - I exhibited oil paintings, gold sign-written mirrors and prints that reflected relatable British pub culture. There were affordable options and free workshops which I think really reflects what I'm trying to do. For a long time I wasn't sure what my 'niche' was - I spent long moments whist-fully looking from the bar, over beer taps and regulars heads - wondering what my style would be. Turns out it was right there. 

My work is the sum of all parts. It's part creative, activist and community. I hope to bring my perspective of class, London and humour to the table and maybe, just maybe, sell some art.