This is one of my favourite pictures of myself.
I’m not doing anything arty in it but I do look a bit pensive and intellectual.
Wow, that was a very uneven haircut, wasn’t it.
You’ll be glad to know that I’ve changed my hairdresser since then.
My Art
I am prone to obsessive art projects that take years. My family likes to say that I’m never happy unless I’m doing something until my fingers fall off. This has never actually happened but when I was tying thousands of knots in string I did get some nasty blisters.
I’m currently entirely covering an apron with sequins. As you do.
During 2011, I nearly drove myself insane doing a year-long project called 365 Jars, where I released an art jar into the wild (almost) every day. It was basically a cunning excuse to get myself out for a daily walk. I’m sneaky like that. Resolutions? Pah – art projects are the way to get things done.
I also do a lot of drawing. Fortunately for all concerned, drawing is usually quicker. Apart from 2007, when I spent an entire year drawing on envelopes.
See, I wasn’t kidding about the obsessiveness.
You can see my art on my gallery pages or on Flickr. If you’re a curator who likes my work and wants to exhibit it, I’d love to hear from you.
Services
I have many opinions on the subject of the internet. I’m a passionate advocate for blogging, Twitter and social networking and believe that all artists need to learn how to use these tools. I’m not a marketing guru but I am an artist who’s been using all these things for years.
In the summer of 2010, I started a business to help other creative people get the most from the internet. I’m skilled at spotting all the things that you’ve missed because you’re too close to the problem. Because I’m busy with 365 Jars right now, I’m currently only offering one-on-one bespoke consulting through Skype or by telephone.
If you’re in the UK, I’m also happy to come and talk to your artists’ group or your students about how artists can use tools like Twitter and blogging to build up their profile. Here’s a 20 minute recording of a talk about blogging that I did in London for The University of Arts London in February 2010.
I’d love to pay you to do an awesome thing
Cool. Call my secretary and we’ll arrange something.
Ha, no wait, I do not have a secretary. Email me using the nifty contact form or phone 0744 744 6303. Or arrange to speak to me on Skype: I’m kirstymhall on there.
If you like, I can pretend to be the secretary.
Hmm, putting that last line on the internet may have been a tactical error: if you want me to pretend to be a sexy secretary, that’s definitely extra.
Other Stuff I Do
I write a lot, mostly on my blog but I have been known to do a spot of guest blogging.
When I’m not making art, writing or working on my business, I bimble around the place reading, knitting, gardening or having fun with my family. I also spend far too much time on Twitter, which is a great place to get to know me better.
Kirsty Hall’s Somewhat Altered Curriculum Vitae
Here’s my CV. It was boring, so I added some pithy comments. If you think this is wildly unprofessional and inappropriate, then we probably won’t enjoy working together, even if I do put on my sexy secretary voice.
Education
First Class BA Hons in Sculpture, University of Gloucestershire, 1999 – 2002
After failing college twice when I was younger, I cried my eyes out when I got a First.
Solo Shows
2009
Pin Ritual – Prick Your Finger, London
It was fun to show in an alternative haberdashery/art space. You know, it’s not often you get to write that phrase.
2006
Broken Threads – HERE Gallery, Bristol
You shouldn’t attempt to make brand new work two weeks before your first solo show. Do not ask me how I know this.
Selected Group Exhibitions and Performances
2011
Disruptive Stillness, Slusser Gallery, University of Michigan
Woohoo, first international show!
2010
52, Room212, Bristol
I made a brand new piece for this show, 52 tiny drawings suspended with thread. Fun to make but an absolute sod to hang because I had to get all the threads just right.
2009
Front Room Arts Trail, Bristol
Handy tip: People want to talk to you on art trails – don’t attempt to do a performance wearing a gag.
2007
Threads of Meaning – Chapel Gallery, Ormskirk
I sold all three pieces in this show. I was speechless with shock.
2006
Penitent Glass – Performance Evening, Tortworth
Cut my foot. Apparently deliberately breaking glass is dangerous. Who knew?
Temporary – March Town Hall, March, Cambridgeshire
The first time 3 Score & 10 was shown. I sent it off all neatly coiled and it came back all tangled. I decided I liked it much better that way. It was nothing to do with the fact that I didn’t want to untangle 70 strings. Nope, not at all.
2005
24 Frames a Second – HERE Gallery, Bristol
I made something stupid for this show. We will not talk of it.
Round The Houses – Clifton Art Trail, Bristol
My first art trail. Damn, they’re tiring. Good fun though.
Knit One, Build One – HERE Gallery, Bristol
I knitted a brick. What? I did.
2004
Perpendicular – St Nicholas’ Church, Gloucester
Crazy church, not a single straight line in the place. But a beautiful space to exhibit in.
Out of the Blue – HERE Gallery, Bristol
Another show that I curated with a friend. Wow, 2004 was pretty busy.
Blue Sky Thinking – Stroud Valleys Artspace, Stroud
I made porridge at the private view. Definitely my most delicious private view.
Food, Glorious Food – 20-21 Visual Arts Centre, Scunthorpe
The toffee keys got to meet the head of the Arts Council. Oh, the excitement.
2003
Cubicle Performance Evening – Cube, Bristol
Still the weirdest experience I’ve had performing ‘Pin Ritual’. Turns out that drunk people don’t appreciate pins.
Diving Deep – Greenbelt Festival, Cheltenham
One of the best shows I ever curated. I was proud of this.
Chapter and Verse – All Saints Church, Cheltenham
This one was in a crazy High Anglican church. Quite hard to compete with all the Victorian gilding.
Speaking Volumes – Stroud House Gallery, Stroud
The toffee keys get their second outing. They get around, you know.
2002
Greenbelt Art Prize – Selected Works, Greenbelt Festival, Cheltenham
The show where some of the work fell off the temporary walls. I wanted to curl up and die. But it’s all a learning experience, right?
Test Tube – Stroud Valley Artspace, Stroud
Did one of my silliest performances. Was somewhat baffled when everyone took it seriously.
Degree Show – University of Gloucestershire, Cheltenham
Someone temporarily ruined one of my works. I cried hysterically in the bathroom.
Revelation – FCH Chapel, Cheltenham
What did I make for this? I can’t remember. It must have been rubbish.
2001
This is all just student stuff. It was fun but I have nothing clever to say about it
Greenbelt Art Prize – University of Gloucestershire, Cheltenham
Pin Ritual Performance – Spike Island, Bristol
Locations Festival – Gloucester Docks, Gloucester
Made Flesh – FCH Chapel, Cheltenham
Hide And Seek – Pittville Pump Room, Cheltenham
2000
Locations Festival – Gloucester Docks, Gloucester
Curating Experience
I’m not sure if I’m still a curator but I was for a while.
2007
Co-curator: Ghosts of Borley – HERE Gallery, Bristol
2006
Curator: Twisted: Knitting on the Edge – HERE Gallery, Bristol
Co-curator: Mulling Over The Difference Of The Other – HERE Gallery, Bristol
Curator: Broken Threads – HERE Gallery, Bristol
2005
Curator: Knit One, Build One – HERE Gallery, Bristol
2004
Co-curator: Out of the Blue – HERE Gallery, Bristol
Co-curator: Blue Sky Thinking – SVA, Stroud
2003
Curator: Diving Deep – Greenbelt Festival, Cheltenham
Initiator and co-organiser of The Numinous Impulse, a one day conference exploring the links between art and spirituality held at the University of Gloucestershire
Head Curator: Chapter and Verse exhibition, All Saints Church, Cheltenham
2002
Curator: Greenbelt Art Prize, Greenbelt Festival, Cheltenham
Professional Groups
Member of Bristol Creatives, 2009 – present
Member of Textile Forum South West, 2009 – present
Member of Spike Island Associates, 2007 – present
Member of the HERE gallery committee, 2004 – 2007
Founder and chairperson of Ilka, a Gloucestershire based artists’ group, June 2002 – Dec 2005
