Biography

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Art has always been my means of expression. My journey has taken me from a neurodivergent child, quietly sketching behind a classroom easel, to an artist who embraces and celebrates difference. Through humour and craftsmanship, my work fosters meaningful human connections.

 

Born in Northern Ireland and raised in Leicester, I navigated the isolation of undiagnosed ADHD with art as my constant companion. As an observant child, I documented the world around me, sketchpad in hand. In school, I learnt to mask my differences. Struggling to conform, I ultimately took control of my own expulsion. Soon after, I encountered a life model and established a home studio, where I cultivated a deep understanding of anatomy—an insight that would shape my artistic trajectory. By the age of 21, I had become a full-time artist, travelling the world and painting vibrant architectural scenes. Despite commercial success and industry recognition, I remained an outsider, independently organising solo exhibitions and forging my own path. Later I used my portfolio to gain admission to De Montfort University Leicester, where I studied Fine Art. Immersed in academia, I became deeply engaged with conceptual art. The repetitive, meditative nature of making helped to ease an overstimulated mind, leading me to adopt crochet as an unconventional sculpting medium—a skill rooted in the basic techniques passed down by my grandmother.Determined to challenge perceptions, I created my first large-scale crochet piece: a seven-foot grizzly bear, which I introduced at flower and produce shows as a form of artistic intervention. These encounters fostered a unique sense of connection with audiences, blending humour with unexpected moments of engagement. The meditative process of crochet became central to my practice, culminating in the development of an extensive body of work under the registered trademark Crochetdermy®.

 

In 2009, I was awarded a prestigious Arts Council commission to create The Lionheart Project, featuring three 25-foot crocheted lions displayed in a bespoke glass-walled vehicle that toured the UK as part of the cultural celebrations for the 2012 London Olympics. As an independent artist, I oversaw every aspect of the project—from yarn production to public outreach—successfully delivering the £500,000 commission on time and within budget. The project’s success led to international exhibitions, public engagements, and a growing global demand for Crochetdermy®. More recently, the emergence of AI-generated art has significantly impacted my practice. Initially unsettling, this shift has ultimately reinforced my commitment to celebrating human endeavour and authenticity. Now more than ever, I believe in the power of individuality and the beauty of imperfection—qualities that will only gain significance in an increasingly digital world.

 

Seeking to refine my artistic language, I am currently developing APE-APE, a deeply personal series exploring mimicry and masking—the lifelong adaptation of neurodivergent individuals to societal expectations. This collection features life-size crocheted chimpanzee skins, each appearing uniform yet uniquely crafted using my intuitive freestyle technique. By adopting the colourways of pop culture icons such as Super Mario and The Pink Panther, these figures blur the boundaries between individuality and disguise. Through humour and familiarity, APE-APE disarms our shared vulnerabilities, inviting reflection on identity, perception, and the masks we wear.