Pandemic Penguin Parade, 2020

Hand embroidery, glass beads, plastic sheet, felt and velvet on calico, 29cm x 33.5cm

As seen on episode two of Grayson’s Art Club Season One, this is a collaboration between me and my mama. I saw the video from Shedd Aquarium in Chicago of two penguins going for a stroll during Lockdown and it made me so happy. I made a drawing on my ipad and had a visceral urge to make it in textiles. With Mum’s help we created this artwork from materials we had at home (lots of colourful felt, velvet swatches, beads, plastic stationary folder and a free hand foot for the sewing machine). After we made it, Mum saw that submissions were open for a new show so we recorded a video and applied! After a zoom call and Grayson Perry coming to visit in the garden, we were so excited not only being on the show but also featuring in the exhibition in Manchester too. The exhibition was postponed due to Lockdowns, so in June 2021 we drove up to Manchester, matching masks in hand to see all the artworks featured in series one. The general public exhibited alongside Grayson Perry and other celebs including Noel Fielding, Harry Hill and Joe Lycett. My ethos is “art is for everyone” so it was an honour to see so many artists, professional and otherwise expressing themselves creatively and being exhibited all together.