Alice Kin (UNBOUND)
We’re pleased to share with you some of the wider UNBOUND artist cohort…
UNBOUND is an
artist training & mentoring development programme for artists seeking to develop their practice to deliver artworks in public spaces, which is delivered by BEAM and ourselves at YVAN. It’s part of Our Year, and is funded by Wakefield Council, Cultural Development Fund and West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
For our next spotlight as part of this project, introducing Alice Kin…
Alice Kin makes art with wood, wool, discarded wire, plants and natural pigments, skip-finds and photography. Rooted in the local environment, the creative process becomes a collaboration with land, industry and the timescales of growth and decay.
“Thanks to UNBOUND, I feel ready to step up and apply for more ambitious projects.”
Can you tell us a bit about your practice as a visual artist?
I have always been drawn to figurative art, and slowly, as I created nature began to feature. Now, as my practice matures, I seek the fused relationships between humans and nature, human feelings and natural lore - (in contrast to many societal norms).
Why do you create?
Ha! There’s so many ways to talk about why I create. Perhaps it relates to being a very quiet kid, visual communication is a slower and more measured way to communicate. Creativity feels truthfully human and, for me, a way to explore philosophy of being.
Do you consider yourself to be part of an artist network/community, and if so, how does this impact your practice?
I am still seeking my tribe. Being part of projects like Unbound is a lovely way to meet other artists irl.
“There’s so many ways to talk about why I create. Perhaps it relates to being a very quiet kid, visual communication is a slower and more measured way to communicate. Creativity feels truthfully human and, for me, a way to explore philosophy of being. ”
What changes would you like to see in the arts sector?
The slow lane!
Frequently, arts is a quick coffee, a busy art event, lots of info in a short timeframe.
In contrast, one of my favourite community experiences was a weekly open invitation to make bread. People came from all areas of the community, chopped wood, fired the ovens, mixed and kneaded dough. As the dough rose, we ate beautiful food and chatted with the glow of a shared endeavour.
How has the UNBOUND development and mentoring programme, about creating art for public spaces, impacted your own outlook and your creativity?
Being selected feels like Beam and YVAN believe you can do it. “With some guidance, Alice could create some awesome public art.” Before that, it was a secret dream to make something that lives amongst people, that appears in their daily life.
Thanks to UNBOUND, I feel ready to step up and apply for more ambitious projects.
What are your future aspirations as a visual artist and have you got anything coming up you’d like to share?
I currently have some work on show in Scarborough where my sculptures became bigger, bolder, and with deeper narrative. The installations focus on migration, empire and belonging. I’d really like to expand and deepen this work to include participatory creation.
The netting photo is by @msc1photography
Links:
UNBOUND is part of Our Year, and is funded by Wakefield Council, Cultural Development Fund and West Yorkshire Combined Authority.