I graduated in contemporary portraiture from The Art Academy, London and my graduation show project focused on the ancestry search for my long lost family and the recurring patterns of loss and hardship that pulled my family apart.

Lost, 1930s/40s child’s bonnet with stitched text.

Trousseau, vintage linen box with 13 antique linens plus a census-style document.

Stain, tea, fire grate polish, bleach and iron burn on vintage linen.

These pieces are my family and I made them with love.

Classification of Unpaid Domestic Duties looks at my own class duality. The heart of me is defiantly working class but, after higher education and a 30-year career in publishing including 10 years at high-end style bible Homes & Gardens, I can no longer categorise myself this way.

Where does that leave me?

A ‘story station’ at the show included an audio of my tale (you can listen below) and I encouraged others to share something too. Big thanks to all those who chose to do so.

And, if you are loving the look of the location and thinking “where IS that?” we were lucky enough to show in the fabulously-faded former Newington Library in Elephant & Castle, London.

Click below to read my show statement.