In Process is a series of studio visits with artists, makers, dancers, musicians, and other creatives.
Alice Irwin is a London-based artist who explores the potential of print and sculpture. She pushes the boundaries of art and craft — layering and drawing, she conceals and reveals to imitate a game of hide and seek. Irwin uses old techniques with a modern touch, while also exploring digital advances.
The playground is an important space and an integral theme in Irwin’s practice. She looks at different memories, social skills, imagination and psychological trauma felt in such sites of activity and social interaction. Irwin wants some aspects of her work to be playful, naive and comical, whilst others will be more thought provoking.
Alice will turn the iconic grand piazza in Halifax’s Piece Hall into a playground for the artist’s cast of distinctive characters from 28 February – 1 June 2020.
People Play references the importance of play and considers those children that worked long hours in the mills for whom it was not an option, and for some children around the world, is still the fact today. Commissioned by The Piece Hall Trust in partnership with The Artworks, Arts Charity Dean Clough and Yorkshire Sculpture Park and funded by Arts Council England, Alice has created a new body of work based on her bold, colourful and distinctive printed characters, which references the former mill town’s textile heritage. Stepping off the page, this ambitious installation features nine individual sculptures that take over the courtyard of the former cloth hall, with a further two on display at Dean Clough and The Artworks.
The below images were shot at Alice’s East London studio.
Interview:
How would you describe your practice in a sentence? What excites you at the moment?
Playful with thought-provoking concepts underlining. At the moment what excites me is my show at The Piece Hall in Halifax. I am showing a whole new group of outdoor sculptures and I really can’t wait to show you all.
How did you realise that you wanted to be an artist? What formative experiences shaped your decision?
I am severely dyslexic and since I was little I would run away to the art room. I can’t remember when I didn’t want to do art.
Who are your art icons and what did they teach you? Who or what is the biggest non-art influence on your work?
Some of my art icons are the art teachers at my secondary school, Friends school, Saffron Walden. They made me believe and showed me the amazing wonders and power that art has.
Observing the public and the day to day brings me a lot of inspiration. How a simple repetitive day can change for so many…
How do you capture and keep track of ideas?
Most of my notes are done by drawings. If I write notes it’s usually bullet point words or things to do. I am a drawer and I draw every day. Before I start a work I will have done many drawings/doodles, and I have these all over my studio walls.
Are there any quotes that you think of often or live your life by?
There is this one quote that got me through school and has just stayed with me. It was by Professor Steven Hawkins:
Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see and wonder about what makes the universe exist. Be curious. And however difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at. It matters that you don't just give up.
What made you choose the materials and techniques that you use? How have they changed over time? What’s your favourite tool or process?
I have always been a print maker, and I have now pushed that into design and sculpture. I want to show the power an old tradition such as print can have. Printmaking is like being a scientist and always making experiments to make better things.
How has a failure, or apparent failure, set you up for later success? Do you have a ‘favourite failure’?
Yes definitely, I have always been different and done things differently. Sometimes there are failures that have later turned into great successes. It is important to fail; you have to fail to be able to become greater.
What are you learning at the moment?
I have learned a huge amount in the last few months, and also found exciting ways in which my practice has developed, for instance, creating designs for clothes. For The Piece Hall project I have been learning about large scale metal work, which is going to be an important element in my practice, and I am just reflecting on that a bit before I start learning more. I have been learning with a fast turnaround, with a large and varied team. I am contributing designs for tote bags, illustrations for games and workshops on my knowledge of print. The project has given me new ideas and advice for future work, projects and people to work with. Also, the history of The Piece Hall was fascinating to learn about.
What is the book (or books) that you have gifted the most and why? Or what are the 1-3 books that have greatly influenced your life?
The most recent book I read was The boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy. The illustrations are beautiful and it's simply written and relatable.
What do you do when you are feeling uninspired or overwhelmed?
Usually I get on my bike and cycle up a hill — I find being outside helps a lot. I grew up in the countryside and was always told to walk it off if I was overwhelmed etc.
What advice—big or small—would you give to an artist or creative, just beginning on their journey? What advice should they ignore?
To be honest the best advice is to keep going, it’s different for us all. Don’t give up and surround yourself with people who support and inspire you.
What advice do you think your future self—ten years older and wiser—would give you, looking back at where you are now?
Focus on your goals, remember to take breaks, stay grounded, remember to give yourself a treat once in a while and you’ll get there.
What do you do and love that has nothing to do with art?
I ride my bike most weekends. I like cycling up hills with mates, love going to the beach and countryside. A lot of my best friends aren’t in the art world so it’s nice to sometimes do things that aren’t just art. It helps you have ideas from a different angle.
Find out more about Alice Irwin here:
