CREATING OPPORTUNITIES AND COMMUNITY THROUGH ART

LUCY PICK

Lucy was born on the Isle of Wight and now lives in Hampshire. She has exhibited widely and her work is held in many private collections. Having painted for 25 years, exploring a series of abstract landscapes in oils, she discovered the work of Baron and Larcher and became fascinated by the radical domesticity of their seminal work in block printing and natural dyeing in England in the 1930s.

She’s always been attentive to the environment and the considerable impact human activities have on its delicate balance. As we furnish our homes, we choose objects that hold personal value, whether due to memories, aesthetics, or functionality. It is essential that these items do not cause harm to the planet or ourselves.

Lucy has established a small dye garden in the New Forest, which ensures the provenance of the colours in the work, as everything is grown organically. The dye garden is situated on the site of a flower garden, providing with waste materials from wilting blooms for further use.

From her background in fine art, specifically abstract oil painting, she approaches the fabric with a painter's eye, bringing an appreciation of mark-making and the joy in the irregularities in outcome.

With the support of Arts Council England's 'Developing your Creative Practice' funding in 2024 she embarked on a 12 month learning journey, which included mentorship and travel to Jaipur and Bagru in India.

You can find more of Lucy’s work on her website: lucypick.co.uk

SHARON KEARLEY

Sharon Kearley is a Textiles Artist who is driven by process and sits at the intersection of textiles disciplines.

Her work investigates the potential of the emotional, physical and hidden line within the landscape, perceiving the linear as a ‘connector’ of people, place and time.  Researching archive maps, forgotten paths and the rhythm of walking, she investigates qualities of trace and fluidity through a playful and innovative approach to weave, drawing on ephemeral, spatial qualities and strong narrative to produce artworks for installation and exhibition. 

Her work applies a diagnostic exploratory approach, responding to the physicality and sensitivity of materials combining weave, print and stitch processes.  She investigates linear connections, sequence and repeat within a compositional space, applying minimal and focused use of colour, series, scale and multiples.

Sharon graduated in 1995 from The London Institute, Chelsea School of Art, with a BA(Hons)Textiles Design and in 2019 with an MA Textiles from UCA, Farnham. 

Her expertise in the field of Fashion, Textiles and Costume spans twenty-five years and she has worked nationally and internationally within the Film, Theatre and Television Industries; the infamous Big Breakfast and The Bigger Breakfast Show of the mid nineties; styling presenters Liza Tarbuck and Johnny Vaughn, Sara Cox and Dermot O'Leary. 

She has worked nationally and internationally as a Woven Textiles Artist and an experienced Lecturer, sharing her skills through exhibiting, discourse, writing, teaching and mentoring.   Sharon is a firm believer in dual professionalism, where education, community and making are deeply intertwined.  She has run her own professional textiles practice for the last fourteen years, a weaver for thirty. 

She lectures part time on the Foundation Diploma at Trowbridge College and is the Pathway Leader for Fashion, Textiles and Costume.  She has lectured at the London Metropolitan University and  Winchester School of Art on the BA and MA Textiles Design Courses, completed a number of residencies at universities, galleries and museums, and has secured funding to collaborate with many high-profile organisations pushing her passion for weave.

Her debut book ‘Woven Textiles-A Designer’s Guide,’ was published in 2014 by Crowood Press, and is used as a teaching aid at Degree level in many reputable Art Schools.

You can find more of Sharon’s work: sharonkearley.com

BORIS ALLENOU

Boris is a French sound artist, musician and creative technologist. He explores the limitless forms of Sound Art and Sound Ecology by investigating the social role of sonic Eco-systems surrounding us.  His work thrives on the idea that art can instigate shifts in perception, using subtle noises to catalyze reflection and actions towards societal change. He considers sound as a dynamic social ecosystem, using interactive installations, workshops, and music compositions to engage audiences in re-imagining their sense of place, cultural identities, and relationships, while exploring the roles and meanings of sound within our society.

He loves transforming everyday materials and overlooked objects into interactive installations. A crinkling plastic bag, a softly vibrating motor, a jittering recycled CD player—these are the humble elements I use to create spaces for contemplation, resistance and reflection that challenge us to see the overlooked and engage with the world in new, meaningful ways.

More recently his practice has focused on workshops, classes, and experimental moments of knowledge sharing as integral parts of my artistic exploration. I believe that these collaborative exchanges are vital for nurturing creativity and cultivating deeper connections to the themes I investigate. It’s in these collaborative spaces that creativity grows and deeper connections form, turning learning itself into a medium for change.

You can find out more about Boris’ work on his website: borisallenou.com