I grew up surrounded by objects and furniture which were constantly changing. My mum bought and sold small antiques and curios, and we would often have things in the house for a while until they were sold. Those objects intrigued me and I would make drawings of them before they were sold. Our home was also filled with books which belonged to both my parents, and I used to read from those a lot. I would copy out poems or pieces of text that interested me. As an artist I often use objects that already exist, changing them in some way to convey another meaning. The use of text has also stayed with me and has become a core element in my work. I like to surround myself with interesting objects which mean something to me, yet I think more about the transient nature of our existence and the possibility of purpose.
Housed in a disused Victorian school building in the market town of Cupar, things we learned as girls explored ways in which childhood influence can affect an artist's work in adulthood. Curated by Cupar based visual artist, Gayle Nelson, the exhibition brought together five contemporary artists who use a wide range of media. Each is established in their own art practice and so able to consider recurring elements or themes permeating their work, which might be traced back to their early years. The result was an insightful exhibition of new installations and works.
