Contact: maria@walker1.net
Follow Maria on Twitter @blueberrybutton / www.facebook.com/mariawalker.
I am a contemporary visual artist working across a number of art disciplines and using a variety of media. I have two seemingly distinct strands to my practice, which are actually connected by the common theme of memory.
My background as a textile artist underpins my practice and influences the material and techniques I work with, and although I now use a wide range of materials, even car tyres, most of the materials I use have the same pliable qualities of cloth. Since my work celebrates the process of making I consider that my practice lies on the boundary of craft and fine art.
I am a Honorary Curator at Warrington Museum and I have a longstanding interest in carrying out historical research, specifically into the lives of women and domesticity, which has provided inspiration for my narrative based art work. Using a variety of mixed media techniques and materials, such as embroidery, illustration, digital imagery and printing, I tell stories through an exploration of personal objects, garments and text.
More recently, whilst working towards my MA in Fine Art, I have developed an abstract and sculptural strand to my practice. My site-specific interventions in an old Manchester mill and a woodland setting, both explored the theme of memory as an abstract concept. My fine art sculptural work often emerges from a dialogue between hard and soft materials and although I do not set out to impose a narrative on my work, the materials and forms suggest connections and invite various readings from the viewer.
I am a workshop facilitator and qualified adult education teacher. I run art and craft workshops for families, adults and children, and I have delivered memory collage workshops with older people. I also give talks to groups.
I am an artist based at Cross Street Arts in Standish and a member of Markmakers.
Selected Exhibitions
Jan 2014 Cabinet of Curiosity Gallery, Warrington Museum.
Mar 2014 “The Lightfoot Letters”, Stanza Poetry Festival, St Andrews.
May 2014 “World War 1”, Royal Exchange Craft Centre, Manchester.
Aug 2014 “Loop” Chester Film Coop, Chester
Sept 2014 “Cabinets of Curiosity”, Liverpool Independents Biennial, The Colonnades, Albert Dock, Liverpool.
Oct 2014 “MA Fine Art Show,” CASC, Chester.
Oct 2014 Open Studios Exhibition. Cross Street Gallery, Standish.
Nov 2014 “The Lightfoot Letters,” Llandudno Library, Llandudno.
Nov 2014 “All About Drawing”, Cross Street Gallery, Standish.
Dec 2014 “Knit a Year” The Brindley, Runcorn.
