We are women who believe in equality for all. We are artists. Many of us also have jobs in education, community and youth work. We often use our creative skills to help improve lives for others.
Among us are poets, performers and painters but we all share a desire for art to be more valued in our society and for people to be more equal.
Amy Hutchings, Printmaker, Illustrator & Mural Artist, ‘Once you have a family, there is this notion that, as a mother, you will not be as committed to your practice. In fact, many women i know with families are more driven and determined’ https://www.amyhutchings.co.uk/
Anna Haydock-Wilson, Artist and Project Lead. ‘As women and as artists we undervalue a lot of what we do and we do a lot of work that nobody ever pays us to do’ http://annahaydockwilson.com
Christine Stewart, Painter & Fimmaker. ‘My platform has always been somebody who is a person, and who always looks quite curiously at how I’m supposed to be as a woman’. https://www.instagram.com/christine.stewart7/
Deepa Chudasama, Visual Artist. ‘I think it’s a societal thing and it’s much better than it was, but it’s still not 50/50 is it?’ http://www.deepachudasama.com/
Emma Crouch, Filmmaker. ‘A lot of women’s energy is just taken up by trying to fight for equality’ http://www.isayraar.co.uk
Frances Cooley, Painter. ‘Ever since I was a kid I’ve been an artist at heart. I see things, I love them, and I want to record them’ http://www.francescooleyartist.co.uk/
Gill Loats, Artist & Theatre-maker. ‘Creativity and work for women has always been top of my agenda’. https://www.instagram.com/recessiongill
Gill Simmons, Theatre Maker and performer, ‘Why is there this phrase “working mum’ nad not ‘working dad’? Can we not get over this 1950s idea of ‘homemakers and bread winners’?’ http://www.bravebolddrama.co.uk/
Grace Kress, Illustrator, Community Artist and GraphicDesigner, ‘This project gives us the space to discuss the challenges of being a creative person in a patriarchal society’ https://www.shelbyxstudios.com/
Janet Currier, Painter. ‘I think women are still in this really vulnerable position where they re doing the most precarious work’ https://janetcurrier.com
Judy Russell, Poet & Gardener. ‘I just love this idea of this poem having it’s own independent life, it’ll race towards one poet and if the poet isn’t quick enough, it’ll race off to find someone else’. http://shedpoetssociety.blogspot.com/
Liz Hart, Artist & Theatre Maker. ‘Art’s a very low status activity so to have it seen and acknowledged by public and by people that are close to you helps keep you going’. http://lizhart.co.uk/
Liz Purnell, Composer & Sound Designer. ‘I think the lack of a historical backbone of other women who’ve done the same thing as you is a massive thing for young people’. https://elizabethpurnell.com/
Lizzie Philps, Theatre & Performance Maker. ‘The fact that art doesn’t pay, basically is the biggest personal challenge’. http://lizziephilps.com/
Maria Jose Carvallo, Artist & Psychologist. ‘For me it’s been a challenge to have confidence in being an artist’. https://mariacarvalloarrau.com/
Vic Hole, Producer & Dancer: ‘I just started a new dance troop, thinking about feminism and female sexuality and we’re being quite confrontational with that. And self worth and self respect and celebrating different bodies and different ages’. https://www.instagram.com/2oclockbeautyqueens/
Andrea Morreau, Artist. ‘I’m quite isolated where I am; I’m the only person in that community centre who’s an artist’ http://andrea-morreau.wix.com/artist
Rosy Wilson, Poet & Activist. ‘You had to be a brilliant wife, brilliant mother, brilliant worker. Not even just good enough, you had to be outstanding in all those roles’. http://shedpoetssociety.blogspot.com/
Artists who’ve joined us more recently:
- Sherien Elsheikh is a graphic designer, the drop in coordinator for Refugee Women of Bristol and a member of Bristol Refugee Artists Collective. She works with Anna and Amy on the Spike Community Print Projects as an artist, community worker and Arabic translator.
- Jo ‘Chalkblack’ Bushell is a social practice artist. Her approach brings together performative. site-specific/land-based and digital practices – lending itself to working with public engagement, specific community projects or with small groups of individuals who are seeking creative processes for navigating personal or social transitions.
- Annali Grimes works within Easton and Eastville communities and has been creating community spaces where the Frome meets Stapleton Road under the M32, tackling issues with the communities from the ground up, engaging with communities, schools, youth groups and universities through workshops, awareness events & exhibitions. Annali is part of M32 Flyover Metamorphosis and RESPiRES, building community resilience in cities.
Art within the Cracks 