My DYCP Arts Council Funding: A Colourful Chapter
In 2021, following a successful application, I was delighted to be awarded the DYCP Arts Council fund. This support gave me the space and resources to deepen my collaborative practice, working closely with a range of artists and exploring new directions in my work. It was an opportunity to experiment, connect, and create, resulting in a series of colourful, highly interactive, and public-facing projects that have continued to shape my artistic journey.
Read on for a look back at the playful path this funding made possible, from residencies and workshops, to bold new collaborations and creative discoveries!
Artist Residency with ‘Officina’ Neukölln, Berlin
To begin this journey, I undertook a two-month artist residency in Berlin with Officina, a space that encourages open exploration, dialogue, and interdisciplinary creation. This residency resulted in a final show that reflected my research, experimentation, and close collaboration with a diverse group of international artists. I developed meaningful connections, gained insights into different creative practices and cultures, and embraced new collaborative methods shaped by our shared environment and exchange. Overall, it was an entirely inspiring and rewarding experience, and immersing myself in my artistic practice without interruptions for two months was a complete dream!
Spike Island Courses: RisoGraph Printing & Textile Transfer Techniques
For the next part of my DYCP journey, I took part in a series of short courses at Spike Island, focusing on Risograph printing and textile transfer techniques. Over four hands-on days, I had the chance to experiment with new methods, immerse myself in material play, and reconnect with the pure joy of learning. These sessions were not only technically rewarding, but also creatively energising, allowing me to expand my skillset and apply these techniques to future projects. I spent so much of this time feeling completely over-excited with trying out new techniques and methods of creating, which is always the best feeling!
Made My Wardrobe: Tapestry Workshop
Another highlight was attending a two-day tapestry and banner-making workshop at the Made My Wardrobe studio in Bristol. This brilliant experience gave me the space to focus on developing my sewing techniques and exploring bold visual storytelling through textiles. Working with layered materials and experimenting with composition, I created a final tapestry piece that reflected both my evolving art style and the tactile, hands-on joy of making. The workshop also offered time for reflection and inspiration, fuelling lots of ideas for incorporating textile work into my future installations!
Research & Development with Synnøve Fredericks
A particularly playful and experimental chapter of my DYCP-funded work involved a collaborative research project with sculpture and furniture maker Synnøve Fredericks. Taking inspiration from the 100-year anniversary of The Triadic Ballet, we explored ideas through movement, costume, mask, and model making, whilst constructing and deconstructing narratives in an open-ended creative dialogue. The process was fluid, theatrical, and at times wonderfully comical, giving rise to new ideas around performance, character, and storytelling. This collaboration sparked a strong conceptual thread that I was really excited to carry forward into future work!
Being granted the DYCP funding marked a pivotal moment in my creative development, allowing me the time and support to experiment, collaborate, and push my practice in new directions. The experiences and connections formed during this period continue to inform and inspire my work today, as I continue to explore large-scale public art, interdisciplinary storytelling, and joyful visual worlds!