Mei is a visual artist, designer and writer.  Her work ranges from abstract paintings and textiles to installations, sculptures, text pieces and objects. Themes include cultural, social, spiritual, political and feminist issues.
“Examples of my recent work include What The Feminist Theologians Say…, Manchester Cathedral.  Tide Line, St Katherine’s Docks, London. The Match Markers, The People’s History Museum.  Messages…, Ekklesia, Hong Kong and Jun Salon, Manchester.  Where is the Heart of Stockport? & Enchanting Cosmos, Stockpot Art Gallery.  Inspiring Women, Inspiring Inventions, Rainbow Fountain, & The Hong Kong Umbrella Movement, Manchester Metropolitan University.  Women of the Future, Afrofutures, Manchester.  The Nameless Women of the Bible, Stockport
My written works have been selected by various publishers and organisations, including “Caged Birds”, Black Flash Fiction, Commonword.  “A Match’s Monologue”, The People’s History Museum.  A wedding poem, private collection. Noodle Bar, Sweet Mandarin, Manchester.  Arrived, Depart, Bolton Octagon Theatre.  Walking in the Clouds.”

Using the animal kingdom and the natural habitat as a basis for artistic exploration is nothing unusual, artists from the Ice Age captured the essence of the woolly mammoth on cave walls, Henri David Rousseau gave us a vivid depiction of the tiger and the jungle, with it’s lush green leaves and of course, Damien Hirst, his animals frozen in time floating in formaldehyde.

Many of the artists in this years trail have made some fabulous pieces inspired by the natural world, from delicate jewellery to wonderfully windy willow sculptures.

Mia Calderisi Phelan’s exploration of forms found in flowers and fauna concludes with exquisitely made jewellery. Techniques used are reticulation, fusion, granulation and various forming techniques.
Jewellery designer and maker, Mia works in both sterling silver and gold. “I believe my fine art background can be seen in my sculptural approach to manipulating precious metals.” Her naturalistic range “is made by gradually building up the piece a layer at a time mixing different textures and shapes.
“I am passionate about traditional jewellery craft and keeping this artistry alive. My work is therefore not mass produced and is carefully handmade, making every piece unique and one off.”

Juliette Hamilton makes sculptures of animal forms, they are truly magnificent, her sculptures will be exhibited at Glastonbury this year, so if you are lucky enough you can see her at Glasto and Heatons Arts Trail!

Formed from different varieties and colours of willow, soaked in water to make it pliable, she weaves and forms what appears to be a huge tangle of willow into a fantastically life like animal.  Flowing organic shapes and the surprising process of intensely investigating a new subject are something she enjoys. Her method of weaving suggests movement, weight and muscle tone producing something beautiful and life-like but with character.
The sculptures, if put outside, are temporary, lasting a few years, and so are somehow more precious and demand more attention. They must be admired as they age and weather and finally disappear altogether.
Each piece is unique and never quite knowing what is gong to happen when they are started makes it all the more exciting.”

Mia and Juliette will be exhibiting at 4 Lynwood Grove

See Juliette demonstrate her craft :- Willow Sculpture Demonstration

HAT 2017

#superwow #HAT2017 #heatonsartstrail

IN ANIMATION, ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN!
Sat 1 July 10-12pm and 1-3pm 
£8 adults, £4 children.
Heaton Moor United Church, Stanley Rd, Heaton Moor. SK4 4HL

Get inspired with this stop-motion animation taster workshop!
You’ll learn how to tell a story through motion, operate animation software and camera equipment, and then try animating. The taster will culminate in the creation of a short, animation sequence.
This workshop is a short two-hour drop-in. It’s active, engaging and keeps your group moving as you progress to the next animating production process.
You’ll animate plasticine, or random objects you might have in your pockets. You can animate pretty much anything!

WHO’S IT FOR
Suitable for ages 5+, adults, young people with SEN or disabilities.

WHAT YOU NEED
You will need a tablet or mobile phone suitable to take photographs. Participants will need to download the App ‘Stop Motion Studio’* this is a free app*
This workshop suits ages 5+, adults, school groups, youth groups, young people with SEN or disabilities, community groups.

SKILLS LEARNED
On this workshop you’ll learn arts and crafts skills and a range of stop motion animation skills. It develops good communication, team work and confidence building.

WHAT WE BRING
We provide specialist tuition with a local professional animator and the materials to animate with.

Places are limited so booking early is recommended.

What’s on at Heaton Moor United Church? CLICK HERE

Other workshops and Demos

H.A.T artists 2017

#superwow #HAT2017 #heatonsartstrail