My work is all about the right to roam and our loss of access  to the countryside. Each year, more common land is lost, public land is sold, and fields are lost to housing. Footpaths have been lost because  the councils who have responsibility for caring for them don’t  have sufficient funds. The CROW act left lslands of countryside that we , the public  have a right to access but can’t  get to unless we trespass. This has to change. As climate  changes progress, our need to access the countryside and care for it  will become  more important than ever.We need that access to commence  now.

We need access  to the countryside for our mental  and physical  health and the health of the countryside. We need to care to conserve, and we can not  truly care without out access.

I have been making images for printing  using photos I’ve taken whilst out walking. These are of barriers, I have then manipulated them in procreate to form new images. These  have then been screen printed onto kozo 25gm paper.

I’m going to hang the prints using fence wood that has been cut and burnt  to make it look order

I will then attach  magnets to hold the prints in place.

Along with the prints, I have rescued old wood and will use it to create a barrier. I’ve started building, but it will change as it grows. Watch this space!

I have also been making signs. These contain information  about our right to roam and will be attached  to my fence/barrier.

First, day of installation, very warm and sticky in the studio, so hard work. Started by laying  out the large images, just as well as we have a duplicate, so we need to do another  print. Thankfully, it’s not my error,  so the acetates  won’t  incur an extra  charge.  Good job it was the first  thing we checked.

Building  the barrier  will take a bit longer as I have an image  I’m mind that might have to change  as we lay the wood out.

More building today, starting  to get exciting. Very thankful  to have Alex to help me. I doubt  I could be as ambitious  without  his help.

Can you spot the changes?

Would  you believe I need more wood!

I spent  last week with my trusted helper finalising my MA Exhibition, it has taken  a lot of work but I am pleased  with  the end result.

First go round, the problem is the multi colour hanging, it is too far out into the corridor. I said we could put it against  the wall but that wasn’t  right either so we moved it into the space.

I thought  it detracted from the other hanging and I worried about people tripping over the wood as they tried to walk round it. The other problem  was it left  one wall bare. The suggestion  was made that I move some of my signs but they are a narrative and moving some would not work.

I arrived the next day carrying more prints and brackets to go on the wall but one of the technitions and my tutor had been ‘thinking’ and the hanging  was to be moved  out of the space and split  into four individual hangings. It took four people  to get that wall perfect, two tutors a technical support worker, and myself.

The sign wall was laid on the floor  and arranged until  I was happy with it then screwed into place. 57inches used as the mid line.

It is very hard to get the whole image

The two signs on the back wall will I hope direct people to the back of the print.

We see the Examiner  on the 27th of August  then it opens  to the public  on the 30th of August. Results  16th September. Watch this space!