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Meet Molly Chambers – Metal’s Artist in Residence

Molly working_ Photo Credit_ Kate Genever from New Drawing Club
↑ Photo Credit: Kate Genever from New Drawing Club

Metal Peterborough hosts local and national artists from across the country to come and spend time in the city to develop their creative ideas and new projects. Since January this year, artist Molly Chambers has been in residence with Metal as a part of The Kickstart Scheme. The Kickstart Scheme is a programme which offers job roles and apprenticeships for 16 – 24-year-olds to get into different careers. Metal’s Kickstart is a 6-month artist residency.

We spoke with Molly about who she is as an artist and what she has found during her residency with us so far.

Can you tell us about your work and your artist practice?
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, my foundation year in art and design was cut short. Therefore, I am picking up where I left off and exploring what my artist practice is. This is why gaining the residency at Metal is so important to my development. It has provided me with a supported environment to explore my work.

I would say, overall, that my work is an intuitive perspective on the navigation of human life. I mainly produce portraiture through drawing and painting. I have extensively explored using spray paint, painting at large-scale, sculpting and casting. I also enjoy life and observational drawing.

What are you interested in developing during your time here in Peterborough?
During my time in Peterborough, I have been focused on discovering my creative niche and questioning how my skills could be of service to others. I have been previously involved in working with communities, sharing and instructing different creative processes through workshops. I feel that art is part of human nature and our engagement with it, viewing or making, should be encouraged to uplift society.

During the start of your time here, what are the things you like about Metal so far?
Metal is an incredible resource for the arts within Peterborough. I feel that people rarely get to experience an environment like this outside of education, galleries or social media. I have received an immense amount of support, from opportunities to network with artists and the community, chances to visit galleries, workshops and life drawing classes, to personalised critique sessions on the direction of my creative practice.

How can people get involved with your work?
As a part of my residency, I will be hosting a workshop during Peterborough Celebrates Festival on 14 May. Please come by to join me!

About Peterborough Celebrates
Peterborough Celebrates is a three-day community festival organised by Nene Park Trust. The festival will take place over the weekend of 13-15 May 2022, kickstarting the summer season in the city. Peterborough Celebrates Festival is a free-to-attend community and family-focused festival at Ferry Meadows; it will be a chance to celebrate, showcase, and bring together everything that is great about the city. It will also act as an opportunity to thank the many people who have helped us get through the last couple of extremely challenging years.

You can keep up-to-date about Molly’s work and the workshop she will be running by following @MetalPeterborough on socials.

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