CuratorSpace Artist Bursary #6: Cassy Oliphant

Cassy Oliphant is a painter, illustrator and community artist. Folk tales, nature, her love of travel and bringing people together are her main influences. Community and sharing stories has roots in much of her work.

"I'm using the CuratorSpace bursary to undertake a residency at Studio Garonne, Saint Martory, France. The residency has been specifically developed for artists who are parents of young children, enabling me to bring my two year old daughter along with me.

The creative project that I'm focusing on during the residency is a collaborative artwork exploring Arabic culture and tradition through cross-disciplinary artforms. During the residency I will collaborate with other artists including Christelle Guilet (a French puppeteer), Lakdhar Hanou (a Franco-Algerian musician), and Suzanne Abdalhadi (an Iraqi musician). 

The project centres around performance, incorporating set design, puppetry and music. Through undertaking this residency my aim is to expand my practice, building on my existing painting and design skills.

In addition to developing my artistic practice, this opportunity will enable me to work alongside others who are also navigating the world of being parent artists. As the founder and co-director of the Creative Mothers Project, which I set up in Leeds in 2017, I feel that this residency will also help provide guidance and support to the parent artists I work with on how to approach a residency.

The ability to create cultural connections through art and storytelling feels exciting and necessary, particularly at a time where some of these connections may seem fraught. We’re also planning to show the performance in England after the residency has finished."

See more of Cassy’s work here: https://www.curatorspace.com/artists/fb10102386286661179

 

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