The 2025 Artemis Collective Winter Salon

On the rare occasions people have asked me for creative advice I’ve always answered the same - exposure is everything. Get your work out there however you can, build your network, and you’ll reap the benefits further down the line. I’ve been aware of The Artemis Collective for a couple of years when Arts University Plymouth first alerted me to their existence but it’s only recently that an opportunity presented itself to exhibit at Manor Street Galleries as part of their annual winter show.

This came at the perfect time for me as I had two works that I felt would fit this environment for different reasons. I exhibited Big Brother from my Dystopia series and Tinside from my body of work focusing on the Lido, having this to say in the official publication:

“The work presented here represents both the beauty and the dejection of isolation, basking in the sun of Tinside Lido and navigating the harsh terrain of Dartmoor alone.”

I wrote that under the assumption that they would be presented together on the wall. I was quite disappointed on Opening Night to find them both in opposite corners of the room though, hidden away whilst other monolithic pieces dominated proceedings. It was quite a shame that such hard work felt like it had gone to waste. I was really looking forward to talking to people about the work but couldn’t as they were in different areas of the room. Despite this inconvenience, the show was in an excellent setting and the room was packed so I was able to engross myself in art in general which helped me learn about different disciplines and their role in informing my own practice.