The Dover Prize bursary would enable a dedicated period of research and development, allowing me to focus on creating a new body of physical works following a recent cycle of production-intensive moving image projects.
My proposed research centres on the mandrake root—an ancient, mythologised plant that resists categorisation, having traversed cultural, botanical, medical, and mythical definitions. Through this symbol, I aim to explore themes of transformation and resilience in the overlooked. I am particularly interested in how the mandrake’s ambiguous identity can challenge the modern compulsion for classification and hierarchy—tendencies that underpin many contemporary liberation movements and contribute to the othered-ness of certain people and groups.
This project will allow me to re-engage with neglected aspects of my practice, moving away from screen-based work to focus on physical outcomes including large-scale collage, writing, and printmaking. Over the past year, I have been learning etching techniques and wish to deepen this knowledge with sustained support and access to local printmaking studios. I am also keen to collaborate with regional researchers—such as those at Durham University’s Botanical Gardens—and potentially with community gardens or horticultural spaces.
The bursary would be used to fund studio time, research visits, materials, and collaboration fees. It would support the creation of a coherent, exhibition-ready body of work that is materially rooted and more sustainable to produce, tour, and sell—broadening both my reach and the contexts in which my work can be seen.
Ultimately, this would mark a significant shift in my practice—making it more self-sustaining while allowing for greater accessibility and engagement. The work produced through this project would inform and feed into my ongoing moving image and performance projects, creating a stronger and more multidimensional foundation for my future work.
Over the past few years, I’ve worked intentionally to build connections beyond London and share my work with wider audiences across the UK. I have an established audience that I can bring to Darlington, alongside international networks that help promote and contextualise my practice. My current role as a studio resident at Somerset House Studios also offers valuable visibility, and I would actively use this platform to raise the profile of the Dover Prize and the arts in Darlington.
Collaboration is central to my practice. I plan to work with local researchers, printmakers, and potentially with community garden or horticultural groups, embedding this project meaningfully in the region. These local connections will enrich the work and ensure it resonates with the area and its people.
By premiering this new body of work in Darlington, the support of the Dover Prize will be acknowledged at every stage of the project’s future life. This ongoing recognition will help highlight the importance and impact of creative investment in the region, increasing visibility for both the local arts scene and the Prize itself.
PASSWORD VIDEO 1: theunloved
PASSWORD VIDEO 2: deepintheeye Working predominantly with moving-image, I expand this term to encompass my work with choreography, writing, sound, drawing and collage. I approach work with a collage mindset and tend to think about assemblage as my main way of creating regardless of the material. Often there is no final form but a multitude of outputs from an ongoing entangled maze of research. I am resistant to setting things in stone; to beginnings and endings; and try to retain a sense of live-ness within my work through experimentation with duration, improvisation and precarity. My ongoing research focuses on multispecies entanglements, ecological systems, bodies-as-worlds and folk mythologies, and how, within their overlaps, they can propose possibilities for present and future ways of non-human-centric living. Recent exhibitions include The Unloved (solo) at Atletika Gallery, Vilnius and Soil: The World Beneath Our Feet (group) at Somerset House, London (both 2025); Half-Swallowed (solo) at Abingdon Studios, Blackpool (2024) and a performance of Salvage Rhythms at Chisenhale Gallery, London (2023). My work Deep in The Eye and The Belly has toured in various forms since 2023 to London, Sheffield, Loughborough, Bristol (UK); Gothenburg, Uppsala (SE) and Husavik (IS). Upcoming exhibitions include The Unloved at PRAKSIS, Oslo and Deep in The Eye and The Belly (solo) at UC Santa Cruz, California. I am based in London where I have been a resident at Somerset House Studios since 2019. I am passionate about artist education and have acted as an artist mentor at Somerset House and Arts Emergency, and have run artist workshops for young people with Somerset House and Camden Arts Centre.
I hold an MA in Sculpture/Moving Image from the Royal College of Art (2014-16) and was part of the peer led education programme Syllabus, run by Wysing Arts Centre (2021-22). I have also participated in peer led education groups including LUX Critical Forum, London Creative Network Development Program and the Summer School at Kunstverein München.
My work has been supported by funds including Arts Council England (2018, 2021 and 2022); The Elephant Trust (2019, 2023); Nordic Culture Point (2024); A-N Development Bursary (2022); and Somerset House/Kings College Research Grant.
In 2017 I was the recipient of the inaugural Stuart Croft Foundation Prize for Moving Image. I have also been awarded the Zealous Environment Award and the Darmstädter Sezession Prize for Young Artists.
I currently offer 1-1 Artist Mentoring and Access Support and previous self- or co- led projects include itinerant crit groups and writing groups.
Commissioned work includes: The Eel’s Tale, a current commission from FLAMIN and Cement Fields; Wormshine, a seven channel video sculpture commissioned by Somerset House Trust for Soil: The World Beneath Our Feet; Common Ground, a commission for Forest of Dean Sculpture Trust; ISLAND, digital film commission for Somerset House Studios; Salvage Rhythms, performance and film commission for Somerset House Studios; ‘i want you to know i was thinking of you today’ public video artwork commissioned by Chelsea & Westminster Hospital & RCA.
The Unloved was reviewed online at Artnews.lt and Echo Gone Wrong.
Group show Soil: The World Beneath Our Feet was reviewed widely, with my work in particular being highlighted online in MOLD, Architect’s Journal and Prospect Magazine.
Salvage Rhythms was featured on Somerset House Channel and FAD Magazine.
I have been artist in residence at Dance Remainings/Röda Sten Konsthall, Gothenburg, Sweden; Abingdon Studios, Blackpool, UK; Hospitalfield, Arbroath, Scotland; Rupert, Vilnius, Lithuania; PRAKSIS, Oslo, Norway; JOYA Arte & Ecologia, Almeria, Spain; Arthouse Jersey; Baltic 39, Newcastle, UK and Cité Internationale des Art, Paris, France.
Address: Flat 14, 50 Wenlock Street, London, London, N1 7QW, GB
Local Authority: Hackney Council
