The City of Bath is not a place frozen in time but an extraordinary living and breathing space for an artist to forage for ideas. The world heritage city in Somerset is known worldwide and has a special place in history from pre-Roman to Georgian. However, Bath has a richer and wider place in history which has been a source of inspiration for my work. Where the natural world and the landscape collide there is space to explore the unique environment.
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Embedded in the City explores the extraordinary connection between the city and the work of the architects Alison and Peter Smithson (A&PS), and the buildings they designed for the University of Bath. Young, passionate and idealistic architects A&PS were at the forefront of New Brutalism style of architecture in the UK from the 1950s. They are authors of some significant architectural ideas and buildings, widely discussed but they divide opinions.
In late 2017 the Architecture Museum in Bath celebrated the 50th anniversary of the University of Bath by creating a series of exhibitions, symposiums and events exploring the extraordinary connection between old and new in A&PS work. Through attending these events I was inspired to take their ideas and principles into a new creative project. The theme is developed from a personal connection with the University where I completed my first degree in Applied Biology. Peter also taught at the University so perhaps I stood next to Peter Smithson in the canteen queue in the South Building shared between the School of Architecture and School of Biology. The university plays a role in the life of the city and my own life. Today whilst I love attending numerous events in the glossy new buildings on campus, my heart is for buildings of my university days in the 1980s.
I came to Bath to attend university & never left. Peter Smithson, the university and I all remain embedded in the city. There is a story to tell about architects and their buildings, their place in city & university and my connection with these elements.
