Kirsty is an emerging maker specialising in plant-based materials. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree at Gray’s School of Art and has a first-class honours degree in Painting. Her QEST funding will support nine months of training with Lucy Lee at The Old Mill Palnackie in Scotland, deepening her knowledge of natural plant-based materials including paint-making, papermaking, inks, charcoal, dyes and pastels. This training will enable her to refine her craft and further her research into the cultural significance of plants in Scottish folklore.
Kirsty’s ambition is to support the revival of this craft which is only known by a few people across the country despite once being a widespread craft in Scotland. She plans to share this knowledge through her own artwork, exhibitions, and future teaching. Kirsty aims to raise awareness of the environmental importance of plants, reduce impact on the environment and promote sustainable practices. Through her research and practice, Kirsty hopes to inspire others and plans to explore cross-disciplinary projects, collaborating with other fields to further develop plant-based techniques and their broader applications in the art and crafts.
