Dee Shiels

Dee’s urban garden holds many memories of her family and friends both past and present.  The plants that elicit these memories have grown from small cuttings given to her over the years. The process of pounding flowers  have enabled her to trap the memories of these various plants into the fabric within the map fold.

 

She has spent many hours in the garden over the last few months, the digging, planting and pruning providing much needed physical exercise. The nurturing of growth has given Dee the space to think, breathe and be creative during this difficult time.

 

She will tell you that her garden along with the resident robin have been her solace during isolation/shielding  but also the physical boundary of her life which has often made her feel trapped.

Artist Biography:

Dee Shiels lives in Leicester City. She became a practising artist after working for over 30 years as a Community Development Practitioner with several disadvantaged communities. She graduated from the University of Nottingham in 2010 with a 1st class degree in Fine Art and has exhibited in the UK and internationally.

Dee has a studio in Leicester at StudionAme.

 

Art Practice:

Dee’s practice is influenced by social, environmental and personal history. She works within the context of history, memory and the residues left behind, residues that weave themselves into contemporary personae and environments.

Dee’s works strives for harmony and will often reflect collections, communities and repetition in a variety of materials. More recently, Dee has been experimenting with textiles and the opportunities fabric, weave and stitch may have along with various printing techniques.

During lockdown, she has been concentrating on her urban garden and the many memories and connections it stimulates during what is a difficult time in society and her own personal life.

Trapped 1
Trapped 2
Trapped 3
Trapped 4
Trapped 5

Next Artist: Helen Lees