Taylored Curiosities for *BYEBYE2017 HELLO2018* On TOYSREVIL
TOYSREVIL: How was 2017 for you? Share with us your most triumphant moment in 2017. What did you find the most disappointed of 2017?
PENNY (TAYLORED CURIOSITIES): "2017 was a crazy year for me as I settled in to a new home and a new job that I had relocated for. One aspect of my art that I delved deeper with is my ceramic work; creating small sculptures and treasure bowls. This has been a personal journey for me and one that I am exploring even further in 2018. At the very end of 2017 I made some ceramic tea strainers ready for a collaborative release with The Gilded Teapot."
PENNY (TAYLORED CURIOSITIES): "One of the biggest highs for me was when my 'Feelings' were transformed into Ohm Beads and released in May 2017. This was a huge moment for me and one that I hope will continue to grow and expand in the future. So far four of the Feelings Monsters have been made into silver charm beads (compatible with other makes like Pandora) and limited edition versions of my Worry plush accompany some of these sets.
To top of 2017 I held my first solo show in Brighton in October . It was a lot of work and I really pushed myself as I tend to work quite small and for this show I created 7 handmade doll houses based on the subconscious mind and using very organic looking materials. This is something I had wanted to do for a very long time and ONCA gallery was the perfect location for my first solo show. It was not only an art show, but also became a sort of 'drop in' therapy session. It was a truly wonderful experience."
TOYSREVIL: What is your most favourite toy, or piece of art you've seen in 2017?
PENNY (TAYLORED CURIOSITIES): "I saw a release towards the end of the year of an Orangutan figure that I completely fell in love with by Precious Junkz. Something about the shape and colour of this figure really stuck with me.
I adore the work of @ignis_f his work is stunning and so full of life.
I love the Mr Waterloo releases by AfterWorkShop. I think that would be a really unique shape to customise."
TOYSREVIL: What are you most looking forward to in 2018?
PENNY (TAYLORED CURIOSITIES): "I am super excited to already be taking part in 3 custom shows. Lysistrata is taking place at Mothership Art Gallery on the 24th of February. I can't share the full reveal but have posted a few teasers on my instagram account so far. I am also in a custom skateboard show @iamboard2018 that will take place at ToyCon UK 2018 and a second 'yet to be announced' show taking place at the same event, being organised by the super talented @angryhedgehogtoys.
I shall have some work at Five Points Fest courtesy of the fabulous Tenacious Toys also."
PENNY (TAYLORED CURIOSITIES): "I am not exhibiting at ToyConUK this year as I, hopefully, will be moving once again around that time so couldn't commit to it. I do feel very sad as I have been there since it started and felt like I was a small piece of the event, but adult life often gets in the way of these things. I am hopefully going to be exhibiting at a Ceramics Festival in July instead; which will be a good reason to expand on my ceramic work. The Nomad characters will be intertwined with these functional pieces as I delve deeper in to their world. I will also be working on a larger 'well-being' book, building on the existing one I have produced and exploring the Nomads concept of being brave and taking risks as well as embracing mindfulness. As you know, most of my work is based around mental health awareness and I was made the mental health and well-being lead for my school which is a great role to have and one I hope to do a lot of good with."TOYSREVIL: Share with us, WHO you are and what you do?
PENNY (TAYLORED CURIOSITIES): "I am a full time Art Teacher (teaching ages 12-18) and an independent artist working in a mixed media approach. My portfolio website is here. which also hosts my blog.
Other places I can be found are Instagram / Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest and there's even a newsletter people can sign up to for secret reveals!
Thank you so much for supporting my work all these years and I hope to have lots of lovely releases and new things to send you for the years to come. Happy New Year and Kung Hei Fat Choi!"
