You Would Not Do This…So Why?
Ink and watercolour, 30 x 30 cm

A major campaign initiated in Bristol by school student Fahma Mohamed, against female genital mutilation has raised awareness of this issue locally, nationally and internationally. UNICEF is now campaigning to eradicate this procedure world-wide.
I am concerned that there have been no convictions against perpetrators of FGM in the UK. There seems to be so much secrecy and shame around this issue that people are afraid to speak out. This tradition, cruel as it is, also has a great deal of mythology and superstition built around it- with the result that it is woven into the culture of many communities. Parents may genuinely believe that they are acting in their daughter’s welfare.

Artist BIO
I have a degree in Art Media and Design, from the University of the West of England passed with honours and a  II (i)  in 2009. In 2007, while still a student, I was short listed for the Jerwood Drawing Prize. Other exhibitions include, the 7th International Mini Print Exhibition organised by the Printmakers’ Council (2009), the Royal West of England Academy Autumn Exhibition in 2009 and 2012, and  the Wrexham Print International in 2011.
Most recently, I have exhibited work in two exhibitions at the Royal West of England Academy in 2013; with animal screen prints in ‘Riegning Cats and Dogs’ and  a textile sculpture in ‘Drawn’. I am currently working on two parallel projects :-  in which I explore my ideas and concerns about  the rights of girls to education, and secondly the exploitation of trafficked and forced labour . A series of drawings on this theme of trafficking, have been exhibited in London by Guerilla Galleries during 2014.

Education
University of the West of England B.A. (II (i)) 2009

EXHIBITIONS
2014 ‘Urban Life’ Guerilla Galleries, London
2014 ‘Wellcome Images’ The Wellcome Trust, London
2013 ‘Drawn’  Royal West of England Academy, Bristol
2013 ‘Reigning Cats And Dogs’  Royal West of England Academy, Bristol
2012 ‘Deconstruct/Reconstruct’ Creative Exhibitors, Quakers Friars, Bristol
2012 ‘Titanic 100’ Noble Maritime Museum, New York
2012 ‘Summer Exhibition’ Jiqjaq Gallery,  Hampstead, London
2012 ‘Titanic 100’  Offorte Gilde  Riga, exhibition of prints
2011 ‘Print Out’  Embrace Arts , Leicester University
2011 ‘ The Golden Ratio’, Nexus Arts Cafe, Manchester 
2011 ‘Art In A Box’  ,One Church Street Gallery, Great Missenden
2011 ‘Wrexham Print International’ , Wrexham and touring exhibition
2011 ‘Up Close’ , print exhibition, Devon Guild of Craftsmen, Bovey Tracey
2010 ‘12 Printmakers’  Atkinson Gallery, Millfield School,Street, Somerset
2010 ‘White Heat’, exhibition of Artists’ Books, Kaleid Editions, London
2009 Royal West of England Academy,  Autumn Exhibition 
2009 Beachcroft Space, Bristol (solo exhibition via Arts and Business)
2009 7th International Mini Print Exhibition , London and national tour
2009 Selected Artist - Arts and Business South West
2008 Royal West of England Academy , Open Photography Exhibition
2007 Jerwood Drawing Prize shortlisted exhibiting artist