Irene Burkhard

Firstly, my work is heavily influenced by the time we are in at the moment, being restricted in movement and supplies, I am connecting ‘real’, intellectual artists with my crafty grandmothers. My work stands for my feelings and an elevation of craft in a contemporary canonical context. Gender inequality as well as the denial of crafts as an art form, is not simply found in relation to the subject or technique of a work of art, it is also in an underrepresentation or complete omission of women’s artwork in galleries, collections, exhibitions and art history books.
Secondly, I am working on the constant internal dialog of my rural upbringing, with the urban way I chose to live. I often experience the feeling of not belonging to the society I grew up in anymore, having established a different way of thinking and looking onto things, but not being accepted as native at any of the places I live. This discrepancy is holding the opportunity to combine the old and the new as well as urbanity and tradition. The piece represents a shelter, protective blanket, containing elements that make me feel safe, as well as act as a reminder, souvenir or echo of places that give me resistance, refuge and cover. 
After graduating from Morley, I will go on to study for my BA in Fine Art at City & Guilds Art School London.