I remember my time as being very busy and quite mentally tiring – the aim of the teaching is to push you to the edge (whatever your personal edge might be). The thinking behind doing this is because there is no point spending several years doing something that you already know how to do. At the edge is where all of the interesting things happen. There is a good David Bowie quote about this:

I met some great people and had some great opportunities from studying at Central Saint Martins and I have been back many times – sometimes to help students with advice.

I think that one of the best things that we were taught was how to evaluate our work and be self-critical. I also learnt to try and say yes to as many things as possible – it is easy to say no but saying yes sometimes results in something unexpected which might turn out to be really important in your development or work. Also you learn to never stop learning – keep informed about what is going on.

Yes of course, but it doesn’t really change what I do…

The V&A and Tate are quite different but the V&A is interested in the contemporary scene and collects art and design being made today as the collection needs to have pieces to show in years to come about what is happening now. For example I know that they are collecting Covid related art and design now.

I lived in London for quite a long time and I am very interested in history and architecture – uncovering the layers and drawing peoples attention to the less obvious things around them.

The building in Brick Lane (Shoreditch) is an example of something overlooked by most visitors - when I am photographing I make a habit of always looking up! Above the shop fronts you sometimes see details that haven’t been covered up or destroyed… some people call these ‘Ghost Signs’ This one I did some research on and found that it was an old soup kitchen to feed the poor.

One of the Central Saint Martins buildings was in Soho and I walked the area quite a lot and try to take a camera with me everywhere. Soho has a great history with lots of surviving old buildings. It is also a creative area but unfortunately changing now – especially since Central Saint Martins has moved away.

Shoreditch has also changed like Soho…

I think all artists are rebels to some point - but some more than others.

I like working in 3D and I use ceramics as it is so versatile a material. I especially like 3D as the work doesn’t reveal itself immediately – the viewer has to look all around it and engage with it (I hope).

Public Art can be quite challenging as there are a lot of practical considerations and problems to solve. There is usually a brief to work to and the work will need approval before it can be made.

My process involves firstly collecting inspirational material (photographs, drawings, objects). I also research the subject I am interested and then start sorting what I have. Usually some images, ideas become more important than others so I will focus upon them to start with. The actual idea for an artwork can come at anytime – in the shower, on the bus. It is a case of absorbing everything and at some point an idea will come along – usually when you are not expecting it! 

Never give up – some of the best work comes from self-taught artists and designers.

Apply for any opportunity you can find to exhibit or for commissions.

I don’t have a favourite colour – I prefer colour combinations. My favourite combination is yellow and grey