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Hereford College of Arts   2007/2008

Dawn Emms

I have an open and innovative approach to art and design, employing both traditional and new materials and processes, working primarily from design drawings using a highly narrative approach derived through extensive research. I am inspired by the creativity of others, have participated in diverse disciplines demonstrated in past work as a student, where I designed a stringed musical instrument, manufactured spectacles, miniature glass sculptures and a large scale loofah clock cabinet.

The scheme has offered the opportunity and freedom to explore textiles in a two and three-dimensional manner, primarily felting and weave, for constructed sculptural artwork, interior furnishings/ fashion accessories. My aim was to produce a body of experimental work, further exploiting the use of narrative, colour, texture and form, which are fundamental elements in my current work as a jeweller. The key area of interest lay in mixed-media, specifically, the technical challenge of three-dimensional construction and integration of other secondary materials with textiles - carved wood, plastics and bone, metals, natural fibres, glass and the use of embellishment. Additionally, to determine and create the manufacturing material on a more fundamental level, through creative works with materials to produce textiles suitable for constructed sculptural artwork.

I wished to use my time to reflect upon my personal life experiences and observations, to explore human development, childhood, human relationships, death and bereavement, adopting a working process which involves an intensive period of study and drawing, and utilizing this as a resource for the figurative subject.

This experience has offered an invaluable opportunity to embrace a new direction and to adopt working practices free from commercial and scale restrictions. It has fostered the development of a greater freedom of expression, rekindled my passion for involvement with the arts and reaffirmed an intense desire to be involved in such an engaging and rewarding creative environment.