projects

"Blind Drunk" is a textile piece that examines how British cultural symbols, such as pub culture, are being exploited by those in power to further their own agendas.

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Symbols of working-class culture, once associated with connection and shared experience, are now being hijacked to create a false sense of familiarity and approachability, making harmful ideologies seem more acceptable.

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Cotton, Felt, Printed Velvet, Printed Paper, Wood, Glue

Starmer’s first speech, presenting the 2024 budget under the new Labour Party, caused widespread concern across the UK. His statement, "those with the broadest shoulders will bear the heavier burden," left many uneasy, as few fully understood its implications

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Felt, Thread, Wool

“Tough Decisions” is a textile piece that emphasises the repeated statements of Labour Party leader Keir Starmer. We have been warned that difficult choices must be made to address the previously unacknowledged £22 billion deficit. These vague yet alarming words have lingered in the public's mind, sparking discussions about increased austerity—essentially continuing the status quo—despite the Labour Party's claims of being the party of change.

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The words are hand-stitched onto the tablecloth using a blanket stitch, symbolising the "heating or eating" dilemma many pensioners face. This highlights the impact of Labour's unpopular decision to cut the winter fuel allowance, affecting more than 9 million pensioners

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Felt, Thread, Recycled Tablecloth

"Self Care" is a video collage that explores the sense of helplessness surrounding the genocide in Palestine. Through the lens of skincare routines, I wanted to emphasize how distracted the Western world has become. We invest so much energy into our appearance, believing it's something we can control through consumerism, while people around the world are suffering. In focusing on ourselves, we shut our eyes to the global realities and call it "self-care. 

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My 'Social Commentary Series' is a project that will transform digital interactions into physical wall hangings. Through the process of carefully handcrafting social media comments into wall art, I aim to slow down the original process of typing online and allow the audience to absorb someone's opinion on a different medium, level, and time scale.

Would you hang your online posting on your wall at home?

Do we assume that our online words remain unseen by those we know in the physical world?

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Over the weeks leading up to the General Election 2024, I will continue to create more wall hangings showcasing a tiny proportion of opinions, whether I agree with them or not is irrelevant. 

'We, Myself & I' emerged from my frustration upon encountering a quote in a video featuring Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. This quote, uttered by a fisherman when questioned about the Conservative Party's approach to managing migrant boats crossing The Channel, struck a dissonant chord. Despite its dismissal, I felt compelled to challenge it validity and moral implications by magnifying its significance.

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In juxtaposing this quote onto a banner - a symbol typically associated with community and unity - I aim to interrogate its ethos. Our societal contributions, epitomised by tax payments, are intended for collective benefit, exemplified by institutions like the NHS. This quote, steeped in self-interest, stands in stark contrast to the ideals of communal welfare and solidarity. 

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Through this work, I seek to provoke reflection on the ethical dimensions of such perspectives and their place within our shared social fabric.

"True Colours" portrays England's flag, St George's Cross, crafted from toilet paper, symbolising not just its vulnerability to the elements but also reflecting the fragility of the country in modern times. This fragility is mirrored by the delicate nature of toilet paper, highlighting the precarious state of affairs.

In contrast, The Sun, representing Britain's Right Wing media, is fashioned from velvet, representing an apparent invincibility, mounted alongside the fragile flag on white plastic bin bags.

The artwork serves as a response to the news headline regarding Nike's alteration of the colors of the England Flag on the shirts of the England Football team.

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'True Colours'

Toilet Paper, Thread, Plastic Bags, Velvet, Felt

80cm x 90cms

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FLAW is a magazine that encourages its readers to embrace the messiness of being Human. In a world of comparison, toxic perfectionism is rife, and we want to shout #REJECTTHEPERFECT in the face of it.

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Download the PILOT EDITION OF FLAW today.

Rishi Sunak is the Prime Minister of the UK. Unelected, he rose through the ranks through channels of corruption and lies. He was once a banker for Goldman Sachs between 2001 and 2004. He has broken records for being the richest man ever to land in Downing Street. 

During this Cost of Living crisis, the government is set to lift the cap on bankers bonuses. What an absolute banker.

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What a Banker

Newspaper cut out, thread on card.

A4

Foul-Mouthed Women is a series of works that attempts to destroy the perfect image of females through advertising using language considered 'taboo'.

The societal expectations placed on women to be submissive make the work humorous, because seeing bold swear words on a beautiful, well-photographed woman has a wonderful juxtaposition.

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Pictured Foul-Mouthed Woman  #2

Ink, paper, vintage paper on card.

8"x11"

You know what's really important right now? Looking after your well-being. Times are really difficult because of many things, and I heard we are taking more sick days off work as a result.

I can totally understand why. I am surprised the government hasn't tried taking away paid sick leave yet 'cos that's how things go here in ol' Blighty.

Just remember, we didn't evolve over 6 million years to sit at a desk for 8 hours a day and make big bucks for the man at the top.

I haven't worked in an office for about eight years now, but I remember the joys of getting paid sick leave.

Those days have long disappeared for me, and when I am ill, I wish they were there to use. If you have access to them, then bladdy well use them, sick or not.

Take The Sickie

Vintage magazine, Vintage photograph, newspaper, glue on Vintage cardboard.

Workplace Absences at Highest in a Decade [Accessed: 02/10/2023]

Kill The Moment developed from my feelings on the documentation of situations that happen throughout life.

I used a postcard that adorned a beautiful landscape, and the stamps covered it, leaving only hints to what could be underneath.

The stamps are used, and represent the 'posting' we are consumed with doing through social media, thus killing the very 'beautiful' moment we want to spread to the world.

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Postcard, stamps, glue, acrylic

5.8" x 4.2"

The Sovereign Grant is the annual payment to the British Monarchy taken from the British Taxpayer. The total for 2023/2024 is £86.3million, and is set to rise.

"The Crown Estate had assets worth £16.5bn in 2022: almost £8bn of properties in London, including Regent Street, as well as nearly half the land along the coast of England, Wales and Northern Ireland." Edgington & Clarke.

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Buckingham Palace is undergoing a 10-year-long £ 369 million refurbishment, but state schools have faced closures due to the risk to children's lives. The specific type of concrete used to build some of these schools, RAAC, is deemed unsafe, and the walls are crumbling. 

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The then education secretary, Michael Gove, scrapped the Labour Party's School Rebuilding Programme in 2010. 

The country is being governed by an unelected Prime Minister and an unelected House of Lords and we are pumping money into the Royal Family.

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Our tax is used to fund the already disgustingly rich system.

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Why is this country so protective of traditions and pomp?! What makes a good country - a shiny gleaming palace for one family, or usable schools for the children and teachers?

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This shows, once again, there's one rule for the rich and another rule for the poor. 

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So in 2023 in the UK, not only are the children starving, but receiving an education could harm them. 

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It's an insane country.

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Did You Hear the One About the Sovereign Grant?

Collage, paper, acrylic paint, ink.

12" x 17".

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Royal Finances: Where Does the King Get His Money? Edgington & Clarke Accessed:10/09/23

Michael Gove Slammed for Ditching the School Rebuilding Plans 2010

It still confuses the hell outta me why this glorified family receives so much of taxpayer's money when they are handed land and riches by just being born.

Why do the rich need more money, when the poor are receiving less and less?

'Dog Save the Quing' is the mocking of the National Anthem. Let's face it, no one is singing it correctly, if they're even singing it at all. I think it's handy at the start of the occasional football match, but no one knows the words.  

And what is it now? Queen? King? Who cares.

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'King Charles to Receive a Huge Pay Rise from Taxpayers' Accessed 28/08/2023

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As households struggle with huge bills, British Gas profits soar 889%, its highest ever half-year profits 2023. 

ONLY HALF THE YEAR saw them profit £969million - up from £98milion only one year previous.

The British public is deceived by repeated false narratives from the corporate giants in attempts to justify why the rich are getting richer.

Profits are profits. 

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The Guardian Article 'British Gas Record Profits' Accessed 11/08/2023

Come Off Social Media is a collage piece where I wanted to create a monster-like character that portrays insensitivity, beauty and greed; this is how I perceive most of Social Media. I'm interested in exploring the effects of social media usage. The caption was taken from a newspaper, and a Government Health poster inspired the layout. 

My final piece during the Coronation weekend, 'We Didn't Party' tells the other side of the story told via the media. Apparently, there were many street parties.

There wasn't.

No doubt not many people could afford to, even if they wanted to.

Imagery in the newspapers of Royalty drinking pints satisfied that Royal tickbox of what they think connects with the average British person. 

Someone tell them that more than 50 pubs per month are closing down due to the extortionate rises in energy costs.

Someone tell them that there are major staffing shortages in hospitality since leaving the EU.

Someone tell them that Britain now has 13,793 fewer pubs, bars, hotels, restaurants, nightclubs and other licensed premises than it had three years ago.

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'We Didn't Party' Collage

Ink, acrylic, newspaper

Copyright Cold Porridge 2023

I wanted to mark the King's Coronation with a series of works I have called 'God Save the Kids - Parts I, II & III'

The unelected Head of State billionaire is having a public-funded coronation amidst record poverty and financial inequality levels. Meanwhile, the number of UK children in food poverty has risen to 4 million.

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I have read heart-breaking articles that teachers have witnessed young school kids eating rubbers and pretending to eat from their empty lunchboxes because they can't afford food.

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I am leaving a mark to represent this suffering from the working classes by sculpting a crown made of school rubbers.

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Living in the UK is tough at the moment. Imagine how many children could have been fed with the £50 - £100 million spent on the Coronation weekend alone. 

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Why should the privileged keep taking from the people they are supposedly here to serve?

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Yet, the suffering public is supposed to watch in adoration and told to pledge allegiance while the painful realities of being working-class and living in the UK are being erased in front of our very own eyes.

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'God Save The Kids - Part I'

Rubber, glue, plastic, tissue.

Copyright Cold Porridge 2023.

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Article from Big Issue 'Hungry Schoolchildren Are Eating Rubbers and Stealing Food' Accessed 5/5/23

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This flag is everywhere, and I hate everything it has become.
For me, as a British person, it is a symbol of the deterioration of a country. Firstly Brexit, next the Conservative party insisting it is rammed down our throats with every broadcast, and now the streets are lined with the Union Jack during Coronation weekend. 

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I made another version of the flag with school rubbers to represent the children who have resorted to eating school rubbers and pretending to eat from empty lunchboxes as they can not afford food.

The working classes are being erased from society. 

We have an unelected Prime Minister and an unelected Head of State, both wealthy and accussed tax avoiders.
We have the Conservative government attempting voter suppression by introducing Voter IDs.
Recent laws have changed that the police can charge people with 'conspiracy to cause a public nuisance.' If they suspect you might peacefully protest, they have grounds to arrest you. 

Let me repeat that.
In 2023, you can now be arrested if you disagree with the privileged elite.
This is not OK. 

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So every time I see the flag flying high, I shudder.

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Someone, please remind me what makes Britain so 'Great'?

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'God Save The Kids - Flag Part III'

Rubber

Copyright Cold Porridge 2023

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Article 'Labour Accuses Sunak Family of Avoiding Tens of Millions in Taxes' Accessed 07/05/2023

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Article 'Dozens of Protesters Arrested During Coronation' Accessed 07/05/2023

This piece was developed during a visit to the town I grew up in.

It has always been a Conservative voting town, yet there is nothing there for its inhabitants. I do not understand why they keep on voting Tory. No public services, no shops, very little in terms of public transport. Nothing for kids. It's a world apart from an affluent town that votes Conservative. 

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Originally I played with the idea of having two collages of each location and having them face one another, so the work could have its own conversations. However, when taking photographs, I noticed that the differences in wealth even came down to where we place our rubbish. 

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The affluent town had a sign on the bin stating that no dog waste would be placed inside it. I had never seen that rule on a bin before.

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My hometown's bins had no such signage, only graffiti, which is pretty cool but, still - why is there one rule for one bin and no rules for any other? Surely it should only have one purpose, or are bins included as an object of status? 

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Blue Bins 2023

Copyright Cold Porridge 2023

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