ARTISTS Ellie Hawkes, from Guiseley, and Saltaire-based Emily Parkin will be displaying their creations at Saltaire Arts Trail in May.
We spoke to them about their work.
Ellie says: “I studied art for GCSE and A-level and loved it. I always knew I wanted to go to university but wasn’t sure what to study. Art and creativity brought me the most joy, so I decided to do a foundation course at Leeds College of Art before going on to study a BA in fine art at Central Saint Martins, London. I absolutely loved exploring different methods, mediums, and creative styles. Grayson Perry was chancellor at the time, and I remember attending an amazing lecture by him that left me completely inspired.
Ellie with one of her artworks on display in Scarborough 
“My work explores the relationship between nature and technology, using digital processes such as photography, printing and scanning. I incorporate foraged and sustainably sourced flora and fauna, experimenting with texture, scale, colour, and form. While I use technology to refine and develop my designs, much of my inspiration comes from time spent outdoors, observing seasonal changes. Circular motifs frequently appear in my work, magnifying intricate details of nature.
Recent pieces include inkjet prints and screen prints on paper, as well as translucent Perspex discs that interact with light and colour. These three-dimensional pieces, when hung in windows, cast intricate shadows while allowing light to filter through, creating an ever-changing display.”
“I am inspired by bold colours and shapes, the natural world, technology, architecture, landscapes. I work from my home studio but often forage outdoors to gather materials. My process balances time spent in nature with digital work, involving a lot of scanning and editing.
“There are so many creative people in the area. Many of the team at Giddy Arts are makers and designers, each with unique styles and talents. It’s great to connect, network, and collaborate with other artists.
“This will be my first year taking part in Saltaire Arts Trail, and I’m very excited. I can’t reveal too much, but I’m hoping to display outdoor works featuring flora and fauna local to Saltaire, in tune with the seasons. I may also share pieces from my new series celebrating buildings.”
Says Emily: “I have always had a passion for art and knew from as early as I can remember that I wanted to be an artist and writer. I studied to be a 3D designer at the University of Brighton, focusing most of my sculptural work in wood. I then went on to complete a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) to become a secondary art and design teacher for nine years before completing my masters degree at the University of Leeds in art gallery and museum studies. I now work as a freelance craft practitioner for Bradford City of Culture, and several other local arts organisations.
The artworks I produce from my home studio in Saltaire are studies in marquetry – the art of creating pattern and image using thin sheets of wood veneer. My work is inspired by my love of history, in particular Victorian industrial machinery and architecture. I examine the structures and then sketch elements of the working parts before creating abstract images using the natural movement of the wood, and the colours to help guide the finished aesthetic. My work in and around the local communities has led to many interesting interactions with other artists and history enthusiasts. There are so many creative people in the Bradford district, and the UK City of Culture title this year has allowed many emerging artists a platform to share their love of art.
As an artist, the materials I use to realise my ideas are always changing depending on the subject. I often use painting, sketching and collage in my illustrative work, but also experiment and edit using Procreate on my iPad. I am never far away from my wood workshop, where I make up three-dimensional pieces, or play with colour and pattern. For the past four years I have been focusing on marquetry. This satisfies my passion for colour and pattern with my love of woodwork. The pieces I have created have so far have been for sale in art shops in Saltaire, Haworth and Brighton. Giddy Arts is where most of my pieces have sold. My Salts Mill maquetry print is particularly popular, as it is the view from the window of Giddy Arts. The Saltaire Arts Trail is the first time I will be exhibiting the work, and I hope to have more exhibitions following this one.
Ellie and I met at Giddy Arts. Her acrylic, manufactured discs portraying photographic images of colourful natural plant life contrast and yet complement my natural, wooden images of manufactured metal or stone structures. We have discussed having an exhibition together and the opportunity to do this in Saltaire, where we met, seemed perfect.
*Visit elliehawkes.com; Emily’s Instagram @emilyjparkin
*Saltaire Arts Trail takes place from May 24 to 26
*Ellie and Emily’s work will be in a window space on Mary Street. They will also have indoor and outdoor works in a house/garden space at 1 Salts Mews.
