Isabella Draper

Denial of function, domesticity, and sexual division have been the focus of my most recent project. However, my artistic practice has involved a wide range of materials and processes to explore an array of themes. I have dabbled in drawing, digital imagery, sculpting, and installations. Repurposed and found materials, my body, and personal experiences have been used as materials and as a source of inspiration for many of my works. Despite having a predominantly experimental practice, viewer interactivity can be seen to run throughout my work and appears in various forms. None of my work is restricted by ‘do not touch’ signs!

This work explores themes around the sexual divide and domesticity with the added element of denial of function. Using history about the sexual divide in western society to fuel the initial stages of my enquiry, I have attempted to display an alternative way of thinking as opposed to the outdated ideologies that have been ingrained within society for centuries. These ideologies specifically relating the feminine and masculine ideal, how females and males should look, act, and the activities and opportunities deemed appropriate for the sexes.

Dysfunctional Ideology
2021, Gloss Poster, h.168.2cm x w.118.9cm
Photo Credits to Shelly Slark and Isobel Vickery

Challenging the Ideology,
2021, Gloss Poster, 118.2cm x 168.2cm
Photo Credits to Shelly Slark and Isobel Vickery

Dysfunctional Bricks
2021, 31 Crochet Bricks in Orange Acrylic Yarn

The Fight
2021, Crochet Balaclava, Variety of Crochet Flowers and Leaves, Section of an Emily Dickson Poem, All in a Variety of Acrylic Yarn

Dysfunctional Cup and Saucer #1
2021, Recycled Cotton

Dysfunctional Cup and Saucer #2
2021, Cardboard Food Packaging, Paper Tape

Dysfunctional Cup and Saucer #3
2021, Acrylic Yarn

Dysfunctional Cup and Saucer #4
2021, Shredded Carboard Food Packaging, PVA Glue, Water, Acrylic Yarn,

Doesn’t Work
2021, Gloss Poster, 118.9cm x 168.2cm
Photo Credits to Shelly Slark and Isobel Vickery

Trapped
2021, Gloss Poster, 118.9cm x 168.2cm
Photo Credits to Shelly Slark and Isobel Vickery

A photograph of a found brick placed inside a crochet brick.

A photograph of the artist, somewhat nude, appearing to be in mid dive into a pile of crochet bricks.

A crochet balaclava containing various crochet flowers and leaves, as well as a section of an Emily Dickinson’s poem on the back, all created in acrylic yarn.

A photograph of crochet bricks stacked in the form of a wall.

A photograph of a crochet brick in acrylic yarn.

4 dysfunctional cups and saucers made from acrylic and cotton yarn, and cardboard food packaging.

A photograph of the partly nude artist sat wearing a florescent yellow balaclava and covering herself with crochet bricks.

A photograph of the artist almost nude, wearing a florescent orange balaclava, sat on a crochet blanket, holding up the work ‘masculine’ written in acrylic yarn covered wire

A photograph of Dysfunctional Cup and Saucer #1 (2021) placed on a pink faux fur stool.

A photograph of the artist sat on top of a washing machine with her back to the camera. Her arms are raised wide as she holds a crochet blanket.

A banner created out of felt letters and a microfibre cloth, displaying lyrics from Samaritans by Idles (2018)

A pillowcase turned into a banner containing a section of lyrics from Much Too Young, The Specials (1980), sewn in yellow thread.

A pillow case turned into a banner containing a section of lyrics from Samaritans, Idles (2018), sewn in various green threads.

Deborah Gould

Rachel Drury

Oliver Childs

Flora Maycock

Laurie Fairbrother