At the beginning of this academic year I formed a creative collective called Shy Bairns. As a four-member, multi-disciplinary group our interests range from fine art, sculpture and ceramics to design, traditional printing and curation. However out main interest is publication design. Our aim as a collective is to provide a much needed platform for young Northern creatives across all mediums to showcase their work and form a network to encourage participations and collaboration.
Due to a lack of resources and funding across the wider arts and particularly within the North of England, accessible northern gallery and studio spaces are limited; Shy Bairns therefore creates a platform that does not rely on institutional support for the promotion of artists.
Being an artist in the North of England is something I consider to be a large part of how I define my practice and myself as a creative. The art community in the North is something that I am passionate about and I am ever conscious of the widening 'divide' between the North and South, in terms of opportunities, funding, exposure and equality.
As I learn further about the professional industry of Graphic Design, and also the different art communities in the North vs the South, I have realised more and more the relevance of creating your own opportunities and the importance of self-motivated and self-driven projects. Gaining exposure is hard for all artists - particularly for women - but it is undeniable that there is greater opportunity within the 'design hub' of London. In order to achieve a successful career away from the South it is crucial that I begin to launch my own initiatives and create my own projects, and networking with the close-knit Northern artist community will provide me with a wealth of collaborative partners who I can work with to create bigger and more successful jobs. Creating contacts across a range of fields - whether that be professional artists, print companies or venue owners - is so important and will also ensure I will have connections that I can utilise throughout my future career.