Since my first funded project (beinghumanproject) in 2012, I have developed a practice of installations, participatory workshops and artist collaborations. My work is committed to opening up vitally needed channels of communication to heal the fractures in our modern society. I am particularly interested in working on engagement projects that explore heritage, nature and human interconnection.
My process combines made-art, found objects, curation, sound and film. Focusing on communication and connectedness, I create installations on themes of heritage and nature. Then I engage observers via creative workshops. I record their responses (conversation, making, drawing or poetry) and these then become a part of the artwork.
Projects include The Beat of The Butterflies’ Wings funded by ACE (2016-2018) which explored peace & the healing power of nature via a tour of WW1-related curated objects which stimulated poetry, drawing and conversation.
Commissions and collaborations include :
National Trust Powis Castle
The Elephant in the Room Conversations, is an audiovisual introduction to the Clive Collection. the film was commissioned by Powis Castle to explore diverse responses to and questions around the collection of South Asian artefacts housed there, acquired through the Clive family ‘s influence in establishing the British Empire in India.
Cinderloo1821
Bear Whitness a film collaboration with artist Andrew Howe, was Heritage Lottery funded and developed from an ongoing commemorative, community led social history project in Telford called Cinderloo1821.
An Undertaking, a collaboration between re:collect Artists, Keith Ashford, Jacqui Dodds, Julie Edwards & myself (mentored by curator, Alex Boyd Jones) and St. Chads Church, Shrewsbury, to engage the local community in reflective and forward looking responses to WW1, through installations and events in the church.
As a Creative Practitioner for Meadow Arts, I coordinated 3 community groups in making and sharing discussions around quilted textile artworks by Yinke Shonebare CBE for Creatures of the Mappa Mundi.
I have delivered courses of Creative Wellbeing workshops to the over 55’s, using digital and nondigital engagement with nature, as part of Creative Conversations (a collaboration between Media Active and Arts Alive).
With Participate Contemporary Artspace CIC, studios and gallery in Shrewsbury, Meadow Arts, Creative Conversations and Hereford’s A great Place, I have developed online workshops and interactions in response to the Covid19 Lockdown, and beyond.
If you are interested in working with me, please get in touch via the contacts page
Jill Impey 