Artist Statement

A sense of place and the iconic streets of my childhood have been the inspiration for this work, often revisited physically and in my practise.
Growing up in the shadow of the huge ships being built by men who thought this work would go on forever, while the women, mostly at home with the bairns, were the glue who kept it all together.
The ships, the huge cranes and the pits that dominated our skyline are all gone now.
Sadly little evidence remains in the town to reflect the huge fortunes that were made then.
The collagraphic prints, each one different due to the process involved, reflect the urban, industrial landscape of Tyneside.
The embroideries, textiles, prints and paintings of the men and women of my family and of the streets are intended to show how, despite the gritty background, there was nevertheless, great warmth, humanity and beauty there.