The maker Rhian Solomon will be working with the community of Ashford Common/Ashford East in Spelthorne.  The project aims to engage with the local community and will focus on intergenerational activity.

rhian solomon

www.rhiansolomon.co.uk

Rhian Solomon is a textile artist and workshop coordinator who has recently moved to Surrey. 

Rhian has a first class degree from The University of Brighton in Wood, Ceramics, Metals and Plastics.  As a qualified teacher, Rhian has focussed on teaching and learning within the community as a means of developing creative skills.  Rhian teaches techniques and processes in screen printing, block printing—paper and textiles, sublimation printing, silk painting, jewellery making and card printing

Most recently Rhian has been working as a Visiting Lecturer for a number of national Further and Higher Education courses including Craft, Textiles and Fashion based disciplines. Rhian was the Artist in Residence at the University for Creative Arts, Farnham. As Project Coordinator for the charity Stitches in Time, Rhian has delivered creative textiles projects and workshops for a variety of community groups.

Rhian has led an extensive range of creative workshops designed for the community, including Primary and Secondary Schools, children, parent, family, elders, ESOL and youth groups.  Recent workshops have included Wire Work at Camberwell College of Art, Getting Under Your Skin at Welcome Collection and Gardens and Cosmos for The British Museum.

When working in the community, Rhian enjoys direct collaboration with members of the public in developing projects, allowing the project to evolve organically and being informed by the information collected through interactions and discussions made with residents while nurturing and incorporating their personal skills where possible.  She believes that learning through materials, experiencing, manipulating, communicating and collaborating can be a uniquely empowering experience.

Rhian has exhibited her work extensively. Her recent exhibitions include Transient Praxis at AVA Gallery, The University of East London, Skin at Wellcome Collection, Departure and Further Explorations in Print at the National Centre for Craft & Design.