a-n Bursary

I am delighted to have been awarded a 2024/25 Artists’ Bursary from a-n The Artist Information Company. The full list of recipients is available here.

I am using this bursary to research and develop a new body of work using Whitby Jet as a drawing material, focusing on its unique properties and historical context. Formed from the fossilized wood of Jurassic-era Araucaria trees, Jet has a deep black colour, ease of carving, and a rich heritage rooted in Victorian mourning jewellery. While often seen as a relic, Jet is ripe for re-evaluation. This project aims to reimagine Jet’s historical associations with melancholy, while highlighting its geological significance and inviting contemporary interpretations that resonate with themes of deep time, nature, and transformation.                      

The bursary is crucial for me now as my practice takes a significant departure from my previous work with digital images. Whitby Jet offers a tactile, physical contrast to my prior sources and brings new creative challenges. The bursary is supporting studio experimentation to discover innovative ways to create imagery with Jet, research visits to Whitby and mentoring from The Art Court.