Which course did you study?
I graduated in 2024 with an MFA (Master of Fine Art).
Do you have accreditation with a professional body?
Member of the Printmaking Council, London.
What do you consider your biggest achievement to date?
I believe it is being awarded the Mercer’s awards and my fully funded residency in Lisbon that stand out as my biggest achievements since graduating. In just two weeks, I produced what I believe are two of the world's longest lithograph scrolls at 9 meters each, pushing the technical boundaries of the medium. I also created a significant etching incorporating Portuguese traditional lace imagery to celebrate the importance of making and women's work. This residency allowed me to explore new scales in my practice while connecting my printmaking with cultural heritage and feminist themes. The experience demonstrated how intensive, focused work can lead to breakthrough moments both technically and conceptually, and the award enables me to achieve it.
Talk us through your career path since graduating?
Since graduating in 2024, I've been developing my practice as an installation artist using printmaking as my primary medium, creating immersive work that engages people to question life, materials, and human relationships with the world. I challenge printmaking's traditional two-dimensional constraints to create three-dimensional objects that push the medium into new territory for audiences. This conceptual drive has led to a solo exhibition and participation in multiple group shows both locally and further afield, including Printfest in Ulverston. I won a prize at a local open exhibition and completed a fully funded residency in Lisbon, where I created two 9-meter lithograph scrolls exploring women's work and cultural heritage. I was recently invited to join the Printmaking Council in London.
What projects are you currently working on?
I'm currently developing a body of work that combines textile and printmaking to create three-dimensional sculptures, pushing the boundaries of traditional print media into installation art. I'm particularly focused on advancing my lithography skills, especially Lithino printing, because of its sustainable qualities - this aligns with my commitment to environmentally conscious art practice. This project builds on the breakthrough work I achieved during my Lisbon residency, where I created 9-meter lithograph scrolls. My goal is to create immersive installations using printmaking as the primary medium, engaging audiences to question life, materials, and our relationship with the world. The combination of textile and print techniques allows me to explore both tactile and visual elements while maintaining my focus on sustainability.
Do you have any tips for recent graduates?
Never give up - consistency is absolutely key to building an artistic practice. Show up to your work regularly, even when inspiration feels distant. Support your peers around you and build genuine relationships within the arts community. Be kind to yourself and don't let rejection affect your confidence or direction - rejection is part of the process, not a reflection of your worth as an artist. Apply for everything you believe in, including awards and funding opportunities. The master's degree taught me so much, but the real learning continues after graduation through persistent practice and community engagement. Building a sustainable practice takes time, so be patient with yourself while remaining dedicated to your vision.
How do you think studying at West Dean College prepared you for what you do now?
Studying at West Dean prepared me to face numerous challenges, particularly in writing applications - a crucial skill that has enabled me to secure funding and opportunities like the Mercer's Award and Lisbon residency. The course significantly widened my practice from being purely a printmaker to working across mixed media, including paper, textiles, and various traditional craft practices. This expansion has been essential for my current three-dimensional work that combines printmaking with textile techniques. Most importantly, West Dean gave me the opportunity to develop my passion for making in sustainable and mindful ways, which now influences every aspect of my practice. The college's emphasis on traditional crafts alongside contemporary approaches provided the foundation for my current focus on pushing printmaking into installation art while maintaining environmental consciousness.
What’s your favourite memory from your time at the College?
My favourite memories are of living in Old School House - waking up each morning, having coffee by the porch, then walking to the studio to start the day. The site felt truly magical, and being able to live and breathe with art and making every day was extraordinary. West Dean's grounds are incredibly beautiful - the walled garden, spring garden, and arboretum offer different things to discover in every season. There's something special about being immersed in such a creative environment surrounded by natural beauty. The rhythm of daily life there, where the boundaries between living, making, and learning blur together, created the perfect conditions for artistic growth. It's a place where you can feel completely absorbed in your practice while being constantly inspired by the changing landscape around you.
Did you receive any form of funding to study at West Dean?
Yes, I was supported by the Edward James Foundation through their bursary program. This funding was crucial in enabling me to pursue my MFA at West Dean and focus fully on developing my practice without financial constraints. The support allowed me to take advantage of all the opportunities the college offered, from accessing different workshops and materials to living on-site in Old School House, which became such an integral part of my experience. I'm deeply grateful for this foundation's commitment to supporting emerging artists - it made a transformative educational experience possible.
Did you receive any form of funding after you left West Dean that is linked to West Dean. i.e. the Mercers' Arts Award?
Yes, I was awarded the Mercers' Award through West Dean College. This has been transformative - not just providing essential financial support, but giving me the space and time to continue developing my skills and building my body of work. The award has allowed me to focus on pushing the boundaries of my printmaking practice, particularly developing my lithography skills and creating three-dimensional installations. It's enabled me to take risks in my work and pursue ambitious projects that might not have been possible otherwise.
Did you have a different career before coming to West Dean? If so, why did you change career paths?
No, I was already a practising artist before studying the MFA program. I had been actively engaging with the local art community and participating in local group exhibitions. Coming to West Dean was a natural progression in my artistic development rather than a career change - I wanted to deepen my skills, expand my practice, and challenge myself in new ways. The MFA allowed me to transform from working primarily in printmaking to exploring mixed media and developing my vision of printmaking as installation art. West Dean provided the intensive environment and expert guidance I needed to push my practice in directions I hadn't previously considered possible.
What has been the achievement you are proudest of either during your studies at West Dean or since leaving West Dean?
My proudest achievement is my final project, "One Day I May Understand." I created an installation that pushed my skill limits and worked on a dramatic scale, marking a significant breakthrough in my practice. It's a subtle yet moving piece of work that truly engages viewers, representing everything I had learned and developed during my time at West Dean. This project embodied my vision of transforming printmaking into installation art and demonstrated my ability to create immersive experiences that invite audiences to question and reflect. I'm deeply proud of this work and grateful for all the support - from tutors, the Edward James Foundation bursary, and the entire West Dean community - that enabled me to reach this point. It set the foundation for everything I've achieved since graduation.
