A Local Place for Local People, explored the idea of community portraiture through film photography, painting, short films and sketches. The project celebrated the diversity of people who live, or have lived, in the village of Marsden, bringing together different experiences, backgrounds and perspectives to explore what it means to be a 'local'. Central to the project was the idea that a community is not defined by a single identity or shared experience, but by the many indiv

Commission to run a Summer Programme of Creative Workshops Inspired by the collection at Saddleworth Museum & Art Gallery. Using the Museum’s collection as a starting point, the workshops invited children and families to respond creatively to local textiles, tools, maps, photographs, domestic objects, buildings, transport history and the surrounding Pennine landscape. The programme was designed to be a hands-on, accessible and age-appropriate, encouraging children to look clo

After the successful commission last year, I was invited again by Holmfirth Arts Festival to create a new artwork in collaboration with the community. As part of the River Walk Art Trail, the new artwork would celebrate local place, landscape and young people’s creativity, Working with three Year 3/4 classes from Marsden Junior School, we began by walking and sketching alongside their local river, looking closely at what they could see, hear and notice along the way. Back in

Exhibition of paintings, drawings and prints based on vintage Police mugshots from the 1940’s, 50’s and 60’s that focuses on petty criminals from all walks of life The original photos recorded people on the edge of society, those in the wrong place at the wrong time. Some of the 'crimes' committed such as homosexuality are no longer considered illegal today and I am fascinated by changing attitudes and shifting tolerances together with mistakes in judgement that led to the su

Born in Marsden in 1826, Samuel Laycock was a poet of the people, capturing the everyday lives, struggles, humour and resilience of the working communities of Yorkshire and Lancashire. Writing in the language of ordinary people, his poetry gave a voice to mill workers, families and communities living through a period of enormous social and industrial change. To mark the bicentenary of his birth, I researched Laycock's life, poetry and legacy. Through painting and drawings, I