Institution
Belfast School of Art, Ulster University
Medium
Design
Graduation Year
Class of 2026
Share
I am an Irish artist based in Belfast, and my multidisciplinary practice transforms discarded materials into sculptures, wall hangings, vessels, and immersive installations. Working primarily with used clothing, paper and textile remnants, I reclaim these forgotten or overlooked materials through layering, stitching, and embroidery. While my work is vibrant and fun to look at, it explores feminist narratives, mythology, and how the past can inform the future. My aesthetic is joyful and hopeful, with suggestions of alternative ways to embrace life, subverting feminine stereotypes. Through material exploration, I transform the discarded and commonplace into fantastical shapes and wall hangings, embracing the monstrous feminine and inviting us to explore our own ambiguous relationships with nature, with others, and with ourselves. I want my work to both have power and be empowering. As a solo mother of six, my work reflects feminine strength and resilience, as well as an acknowledgement of those who are othered for not conforming to the norms of our patriarchal society. My work is both intuitive and intentional, balancing technical exploration with emotional resonance. My process begins with gathering ideas, often contemporary and topical, then researching and considering ways to transform these ideas into shapes and images. Sketching and photographs lead into embroidery and experimentation with shapes. Fabrics are accumulated, sorted by colour and texture, then deconstructed and reassembled, often with dyeing and ageing. Through experimentation, documentation, repetition, and manipulation of fabrics, new forms are constructed that embrace imperfection, diverse interpretations, and playful reinvention.
