Anna Kirk-Smith East Yorkshire, United Kingdom

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I am a graduate of the Royal College of Art, fine artist and former Head of Fine Art at Hull School of Art and Design. I make work on natural historical subjects to raise awareness of political and environmental themes, often in collaboration with conservation organisations or academics. Despite often heavy themes, I am not without a sense of humour and I am currently diversifying my practice.

As a practitioner I don’t have a particular ‘process’ for a reason: each new idea for a project or new ‘problem’ to be solved requires a fundamentally different approach, both in tactics and in media selection. I gain most from listening to others, much of my information and insights are transcribed and adapted from those who have been immersed in specific experiences or undertaken focused paths of research, both contemporary and historical.

I believe that the one of the greatest strengths an artist can possess is an honest, far-reaching curiosity and an ability to say “Yes I am completely ignorant of this, so can you tell me about it.” People are generous with their time and for this I am always grateful.

I do apply an academic rigour throughout the creative processing of an idea. Accuracy is important, however this does not necessarily lead to direct translation. My aims are to communicate or flip facts into artworks, offering the viewer a number of ways into the piece, emotive, political or through wonderment.

Through creative play I aim to convey intriguing narratives, promote conversations or ask the viewer to question their preconceived perceptions or predilections towards a subject. I am currently diversifying my themes and approaches exploring ritual and tradition in the natural world and British folklore.