Artist Statement

I am a young, Queer, Welsh artist with an old soul. Inspired by classical art, religious imagery, and the Impressionist and Post-Impressionist movements, I work through painting and embellishing fabric. From large-scale banners to re-purposed and upcycled clothing, my work is bright, ethereal, and a celebration of the human form and spirit. I then add texture to my paintings with embroidery, ribbons, and beading, making something discarded precious once more. I believe my passion for the arts stems from my father’s side of the family that comprises of poets, actors, singers, and other creatives. My great aunt’s handmade tile company, ‘Craig Bragdy Design’, especially influenced my appreciation of craftsmanship and methods of adornment now so prominent in my practice.

For this exhibition, I was particularly inspired by the fabric banners that were on display at St. Catherine’s Church, Pontypridd. Even though I’m not, myself, a person of faith, I appreciate how the bible teaches about acceptance and to value life. I was reminded of ‘Memento Mori, Memento Vivere’, meaning ‘Remember you Die, Remember to Live’, and so I was inspired to produce a series of fabric banners that represent a timeline of acceptance, based on my own experiences. These banners are hand-painted, stitched and embellished on denim that were once old jeans, reflecting a life lived and a transformative process. They are strung together with ribbon and their message is a reminder for all of us of how we get through life’s struggles and must live our lives to the fullest. Themes that arise include death, comfort, protection, and love, depicted through carefully composed symbols. I have made a video of my process to share these stories with you, and to show you how to create your own ‘Memento Mori, Memento Vivere’ banners at home and take the first steps to acceptance.