The sprawling urban mass of the cities of Birmingham and London are my primary inspiration; the concrete structures of Spaghetti Junction and the Barbican, the street art of Digbeth, the canal network that runs through both cities and the areas of social housing that surround us. I enjoy looking for the beauty in my day to day surroundings then documenting this through my photography and mixed media work.
Gravelly Hill Interchange, more colloquially known as Spaghetti Junction, is a remarkable feat of engineering which opened in May 1972. It spans two railway lines, three canals and two rivers. When reflecting on what it is that I find so compelling about spaces such as the underbelly of Spaghetti Junction I realised that I find joy in the unseen elegance of structures deemed unworthy of a second glance. It is a concrete jungle that bears the imprint of many of the people that have journeyed through this area over the 50 years that it has been in existence. This is a quiet space where the atmosphere invades the senses. The layers of concrete and paint are laden with the echo of the people who have passed over and under these colossal structures.
A Selection of pages from my sketchbook.....
Professional Practice
This activity enabled a group of SEND learners to explore expression and emotion through the modelling of monster faces using clay. The tactile and expressive qualities of clay make it an extremely accessible medium, facilitating the expression of thoughts and emotions that they may struggle to communicate in other ways.
Art Therapy
A selection of work created following my own engagement in Art Therapy
Nicky Coen
MA, PGCE, BA (Hons)
I am a creative professional with 24 years’ experience of teaching Art, Design and Photography in a range of secondary schools across the West Midlands. This has nurtured my passion for utilising art as a tool of expression, self discovery and emotional growth. The next natural step in my career is to pursue formal art therapy training with a view to working as an arts therapist with young people.