The Positive Personal Impact of an Exhibition
Five of my designs are currently hanging in an exhibition at Perth Museum! Not only is it something I am so very proud of, I recognise how much it has led me to develop creatively and personally. My last blog post tells you what you can see in the exhibition - but for this blog post, I want to describe the significant positive impact this exhibition has had. As a huge 'Sewing Bee' fan, it makes me think I have been on a similar journey to what the participants of this TV show go on. It has been huge amounts of hard work - but one of the most rewarding things I have ever done.
It started back in early Autumn 24. Perth is a designated UNESCO City of Crafts and Folk Art, and Poppy Jarratt is their Programme Officer. On a visit to the fantastic Creative Exchange, she happened to see some of my art work. She was preparing for an exhibition in Estonia - and she commissioned me to produce some pieces to both showcase the collections of Perth Museum and Art Gallery - and to demonstrate how the technology available at the Famous Grouse Ideas Centre can allow artists to flourish. This was a great success, and we were both really pleased with how the Blue Bird and Butterfly Art Nouveau Design and Art Deco Pink and Black Bird Design turned out. Printed up as wallpapers, they looked really striking. In early 2025, I was commissioned to create more designs to to put on display in Perth Museum, based on the collections. With my interest in the natural world, I decided to develop additional bird designs. Poppy was incredibly supportive, and really gave me free rein to follow my ideas through.
The process of creating these designs has had a hugely positive impact on me as an artist. It has given me the confidence to routinely describe myself as a 'Printmaker and an Artist'. Previously, this area of my life, although very important to me, always felt like a side-line or a hobby. It is now firmly part of how I identify myself. Artistically, it provided a wonderful opportunity to experiment with different technologies and materials, particularly mastering laser cut woodcuts, based on vector versions of my drawings. I have learned how to create works that are large scale as this has been what was required as part of the project brief. It has been so pleasing to see my designs printed up on beautiful silk wallpapers, a medium I have never used before.
On a personal basis, it has also has given me a huge boost - I do not just feel more confident as an artist, I feel more confident as an individual. I know that I can set myself ambitious goals and with planning and commitment, I can achieve them. I have really enjoyed working as part of a team to make this exhibition happen, and to see real experts in action (take a look at my Photoshoot! blog post as one example). I feel so rooted to my local community, and love having a relationship with staff working in the Creative Exchange and Perth Museum and Art Gallery. More than anything though, I feel so proud to be able to share this exhibition with my family and to show my daughter that with hard work, you really can achieve your aspirations.