I was diagnosed HIV Positive in 2002, sadly it was a late diagnosis, which has caused a great deal of problems with my health, but I know that I am extremely lucky to be able to tell my tale, so that has been my focus ever since that day!
Graduated in 2008 winning The Fine Art Graduate Award for my Degree show, work based around my HIV Positive status, this led to my first Solo Exhibition in Portsmouth, U.K. I have continued to exhibit on a regular basis raising awareness about HIV/AIDS along with other issues important to me. I have been a 'Selected' Artist at Pallant House Gallery in Chichester a couple of times. I created the Red Ribbon Dress, a Memorial/Legacy piece of work that has approximately 6000 assorted red ribbons stitched to it, a Memorial book based on the AIDS Quilts is also exhibited along with the dress, people are invited to write names, messages for people they may have lost to this disease, to people they know living daily with it or even themselves, but it is for all to be able to read and contribute to if they desire.
Previous exhibitions at Pallant House, Chichester as a selected artist also as part of Degree.com at Vyner Street, London and Debut Contemporary in Notting hill.
The most recent solo exhibition 'Great Expectations of an Incurable Optimist' at The Crypt Gallery at St Pancras, London resented an early retrospective my HIV based work in 2014.
My artwork is autobiographical, diagnosed HIV Positive in 2002, my life drastically changed and I have drawn on these experiences to express my personal journey through the work I have created and exhibited ever since.
My work continually strives to raise awareness about this disease and through fear, disablement to empowerment I have created a vast collection of mixed media pieces from out of date condoms to red ribbons and pins.
As well as exhibiting HIV inspired work, I have created works that have been inspired by gender issues that surround me and continue to inspire me. Recently I have been creating a new collection of work, dedicated to recognising Female Artists/female Composers and Suffragettes that I believe are due recognition and this has become my goal to create and recognise as many Women as possible.
Previous exhibitions at Pallant House, Chichester as a selected artist also as part of Degree.com at Vyner Street, London and Debut Contemporary in Notting hill.
The most recent solo exhibition 'Great Expectations of an Incurable Optimist' at The Crypt Gallery at St Pancras, Londonpresented an early retrospective my HIV based work in 2014.
Solo Show
2016 Addressing the Situation. The Grant Bradley Gallery. Bristol. U.K
2014 Great Expectations of an Incurable Optimist. The Crypt Gallery of
St Pancras. London
2013 Mae The Awareness Be With You! The Red Ribbon Dress
The Old Vic. Portsmouth
2013 Red Alert! The Red Ribbon Dress Portsmouth
2012 World Aids Day Red Ribbon Dress Waterstones. London
2012 Sussex Beacon Gala Event Red Ribbon Dress Brighton
2010 The Museum of the Loss of Practicality + other Peculiarities! (The
Next Chapter). Gallery Art Space, Portsmouth
2010 The Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre. Gallery Art Space,
Portsmouth.
Designed Invite and Curated Show.
2008 The Museum of the Loss of Practicality + other Peculiarities. Gasp
Gallery Art Space, Portsmouth
Designed catalogues, invites and flyers using funds from university award, plus organised and curated show.
Group Shows
2016 The Salon des Refuses. SPACE. London
2015 Brighton Gin. Brush. Brighton
2015 Victorious Festival. Portsmouth
2015 Pride. Brush. Brighton
2015 The Girlie Show. Brush. Brighton
2014 Feminism In London Conference (FiLia)
2014 Femme. Velvet Tattoo Studio. Brighton
2013 100 Artists For World Aids Day. The Dome. Brighton
2013 Feminism In London Conference (FiLia)
2013 FiLia Art Show and Fundraiser. Space Station 65. London
2013 The Icons Exhibition. Jubilee Library. Brighton
2013 The Sussex Artists Award. Pallant House. Chichester (Shortlisted)
2013 Outside In The Daisy Festival. Leatherhead
2013 Outside InThe Lightbox Gallery. Woking
2013 The Commontree Room 237 Portsmouth
2012/13 Outside In Exhibition Pallant House Gallery Chichester (Finalist)
2012 Bath Fringe Festival (Within Without You) The Pet Store, Bath
2011/2012 DEBUT Contemporary Westbourne Grove London
2011 Flora, FloraThe Kings Theatre Southsea
2010 The Signature Art AwardsDegreeArt.com Gallery London
(Finalist)
2010100 Artists for Pride Brighton
2010 Left in Vision 4, University of London
2010 Lakeside Portsmouth
2010 Art Space Portsmouth 30th Anniversary
2010 Diversity (One World) University of Portsmouth
2010 Facebook Friends, Art House 2. Havant
2009 Art in Mind The Brick Lane Gallery. London
2009 Left in Vision 3, University of London
2009 C-R-A-C-K Marie Lloyd Bar, Hackney Empire, London
2009 Alumni University of Portsmouth
2009 Arts Trail Hayling Island
2008 When it’s gone, it’s gone (Degree Show), University of
Portsmouth
2007 Ox jam, Castle fields, Portsmouth
Organised, promoted, curated a show of over 30 local artists, as well as exhibiting
2007 Arts Trail, Hayling Island
2006 Positive Pictures Spinnaker Tower, Portsmouth
2006 Positive Pictures Cathedral of Portsmouth
2005 Southampton Art Gallery WORLD AIDS DAY
Awards
2008 Fine Art Graduate Award. University of Portsmouth.
Education
2005-2008 B.A. Fine Art, University of Portsmouth
2004-2005 Access to Art, Design & Media, University of Portsmouth
2003-2004 City & Guilds: Interior Design, Highbury College, Portsmouth
Scaled Drawings (elevations & floor plans), Working to Proposals
1998-2000 BTEC: Restoration & Decorative Arts
Faux Finishing, Gilding, Carpentry