Having been involved in community based creative events and projects helped form a better understanding of how I work now. Between September and December 2011 I volunteered for a Somerset film based charity called The Engine Room. The program granted me valuable skills that certainly broadened my horizons in film, illustration, animation and photography. A personal highlight would be November 2011, when the ‘Tacchi Moris Arts Centre’ reviewed my chalk and charcoal animation as "Outstanding". In February 2012, I had the unique experience of working with Taunton's Olympic procession parade to create a 'Human Powered Vehicle'. Aged 18, I challenged myself to think as a real practitioner and as a result, it motivated me to produce my best work, an 11-ft high parade float. Impressed, Somerset College presented a paid work placement to be an assistant technician and TA at a summer art school, July '12. The same year, I exceeded by completing an Extended Diploma in Fine Art achieving top D*D*D*. Went on to create an intense body of work through doing a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design. Acknowledged by the Head of Somerset school of art and design, I received ‘Student of the year’ 2012/13.

 

Before and post a jaw operation I had in July 2013, there were constant thoughts of how my face might change. The transformations after this serious operation were incredible. My personal experience inspired a body of work based on transmogrification of the human figure and abstracting quick but beautiful aspects of everyday life. Throughout 2013, my work was orientated around the simple but happy subject of radical change. Illustration, photography, projection and bit of film were primarily used.

 

Coming into 2014 I decided to look at cultural changes in anthropology, sub-cultures in Manchester after 1978 in relation to the previous ‘1978’ Exhibition. A typography based piece composed from a selection of lyrics belonging to key influences of Manchester music scene, communicating a specific current attitude of the city. I enjoyed incorporating typography into my work however I’m keen to play with found materials. My current focus is to transform the cheap, unnoticeable and mundane into something interesting, noticeable and colourful using sculpture, film, photography and projection.