Visiting the Afghan Peace Volunteers, Kabul
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I am a community artist who studied Art at West Dean College and English Literature at Leeds University. I enjoy fusing fine art with craft techniques for my work at The Craftimation Factory, an arts charity that I established with my Mum in 2013. It is an award winning organisation that brings art activities to everyone, especially those who might face barriers.
My journey really began with a fateful trip to Afghanistan where I met Nouria. This changed the course of everything I would do and think for the rest of my life. Artist's Statement: I am a contemporary mixed-media artist who combines fabric, paper and stitch with drawing, painting and mark-making. I was deeply affected by my youth spent growing up in the Troubles of Northern Ireland, and as a result I explore conflict, oppression and the resolution of trauma in my work; looking at how imbalances of power influence our relationships with ourselves, each other and the space we occupy. I use motifs that echo the symbolism of my childhood: soldiers, guns and the piercing eyes of Irish politicians feature alongside the delicate imagery of the nature that I was surrounded by and sought solace in. Sometimes my exploration of contention is through a global lens of war; at others that of a deeply personal battle within the individual. My personal art practice has been heavily influenced by my work as a community artist and arts educator. I've enjoyed six years as an artist-in-residence in primary schools, and have had the great privilege of combining arts with wellbeing on children's programmes for organisations such as Culture Shift and Hastings Contemporary. I have frequently helped the children to work towards and achieve the nationally recognised Arts Award qualification as part of this process . I have found the experience of working with children to be uplifting and healing as their creativity is nearly always born of the present moment, and their joy knows no bounds. I view the whole of my life as an artist's residency; drawing deeply from the rich resources of my own mental health experiences and my ongoing journey through matrescence. You can find out more about this on the page 'Give My Head Peace'. |
Short video of Meeting Nouria: warning, contains distressing information
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Nouria
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Janey is the founder of The Craftimation Factory; an award winning Charitable Incorporated Organisation created by herself and her mother after years of enjoying knitting and craft together. The organisation's aim is to bring creativity and joy to all, but especially those who might not otherwise be able to access it. The Craftimation Factory is governed by a board of four trustees.
Website: The Craftimation Factory Watch a video about their work here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXKonSbFu44 "In the two years that I worked with Janey she stood out as a key player with plenty of energy, a keen eye for detail, the ability to multi-task and excellent project management skills - always quickly grasping creative concepts and how they needed to be delivered. When she returned to the UK, there was a real void in her role that we have never been able to fill. She is a real asset, a pleasure to work with and comes highly recommended." - Blake Pickering, Senior Creative Strategist, ADabisc Future Qatar
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