Julie Starks CV


I create artwork that reflects my fascination with ecosystems, sustainability and the fractal nature of our world. Much of my work is based on looking closely at the ‘small’ worlds which surround us, sometimes to microscopic detail, emphasising the beauty of structure, texture and pattern. Using wood, metal, willow rods and other reclaimed materials I produce sculpture, seating and creatively landscape with living willow. My Photography details the life cycles of surfaces and plant structures, and is a constant inspiration for other artwork. I work for exhibition, to private commission and deliver creative projects within community environments.

Commissions/Residencies
I have worked with a diverse range of client groups such as Greenpeace, The National Trust, Westonbirt Arboretum, Bath International Music Festival and Womad Festival as well as many Youth and Community groups across the UK.

Environmental Organisations
Community & Charity Projects

2006/07: The National Trust, Prior Park, Bath
Artist in Residence for Arts Partnership project.
Mud and turf sculpture and Willow installation.

2005: Greenpeace
Willow and mud sculptural Shelter commission

2005: Envolve
Carrs Woodland project with local school making sculptural insect over two days

2005: Bath City Farm
Activity day at the farm making sculpture and archways

2004: Greenpeace
“Garden for Greenpeace” at Glastonbury Festival
Willow Sculptural den

2003: Greenpeace
“Garden for Greenpeace” at Glastonbury Festival
Large willow tunnel

2002/2003: CSV Environment
Various School Grounds Regeneration Projects.
Living Willow & bench making projects.

2002: The National Trust, Prior Park, Bath
Temporary site-specific Butterfly sculpture

2001/2002: British Trust for Conservation Volunteers
Various Living Willow Projects

2002: The Eden Project
Research & Development Fund
Insect colony sculpture

1999/2002: The Wildlife Trust
Living and dried willow sculptures & Structures

2000/2001: Westonbirt Arboretum
Living willow structure workshops

1999/2000: The National Trust, Barrington Court
and Dyrham Park.

Site-specific children’s art workshops




2007: Architecture Centre, Bristol

Volunteer at Big Draw “Build an Ecocity” workshop.

2007: St Werbergs City Farm, Bristol
Living Willow sculpture workshop

2006: SAW Ltd
Artist for pilot project “Safe Routes to Schools”

2006: Bath Mentoring Plus
Swan Sculpture made with young people.

2006: Bath Mentoring Plus
Boat Sculpture made with young people.

2006: RSPCA, Bath
Created willow ‘house’ with staff for feral cat area.

2005: Bedfont Lakes Country Park, Feltham
Large willow swan sculpture, drop in workshops for community during parks open day.

2005: Widcombe Infant School. “Arts Week”
Three days of recycled sculptures based on The Sea

2005: Living Willow School Grounds Projects
Scarborough/Tewkesbury/Bath

2004: River Avon Interpretation Project
Willow sculptures with Saltford Primary

2004: The Countryside Foundation for Education
Willow workshops at “Countryside Live” London

2004: RSPCA, Bath
Willow Sculpture Workshop as part of fundraising week

2004: The Corsham School
Four day willow sculpture project creating bugs & birds

2004: St Werbergs City Farm, Bristol
Living Willow land development project with youth groups

2004: St.Pauls Adventure Playground, Bristol
Living Willow sculptures. Under 8’s area on a sea theme

2003: Manor Road Community Woodland, Bristol

Wooden bench making

Teaching

1998-Present:
Working in schools developing outdoor environments with living & dried willow structures and sculptures. I deliver creative curriculum–supportive workshops with an environmental theme using recycled materials, as well as themed workshops for festivals and other events. Work has been extensively in the South West and over the past three years in Scotland, Cumbria and Wales. I also work with adults teaching living and dried willow.

Festivals and Events
2007: Glastonbury Festival
Design and installation of the Ribbon Tower roof.
2006: Bath International Music Festival
School art workshops for the Opening Night procession
2005: Shambala Festival, Plympton
Sculptural willow ‘pods’ for shelter
2005: Big Green Gathering, West Harptree
Hazel entrance for sustainable garden space
2005: WOMAD – Reading
Site decoration and childrens seascape workshop
2005: Glastonbury Festival
Willow and mud sculptural shelter in Greenpeace garden
2004: Shambala, Devon
Fencing and sculpture for entrance
2004: Glastonbury Festival
Large Sculptural Vessel for the Greenpeace Garden
2004: Countryside Live, Syon House, London
Willow workshops with schools


2003: WOMAD –Gran Canaria
Butterfly structures and costume workshops
2003:WOMAD – Reading
Mobile insect sculpture & insect costume workshops
2003: Glastonbury Festival
Willow structure for Greenpeace garden
2001: Cardiff Children's Festival
Willow Insect Larvae Tunnel
2001: Bath Children's Art Festival
“Mythical-Mechanical-Creature” recycled sculpture
2000: Filton Millennium Celebrations
Bird and bug making workshops
2000: Congesbury Strawberry Fair, Somerset
Willow ladybird sculpture
2000: The London Road Carnival, Bath
Research and development of carnival theme. Delivery of costume & structure making workshops
2000: Bath International Music Festival
Opening Night Procession. Community art workshops


Private Commissions

1999-Present: Various artworks created for client’s homes and gardens, i.e. willow and metal insects, abstracts, living willow and sculptural benches.

Exhibitions

  2007: Walcot Chapel, Bath
Group show
  2007: Widcombe Studios, Bath “Open View”
  2007: Model House, Llantrisant “Small Worlds”
  2006/7: Scottish Highlands Touring Show “Pushing the Boundaries”
  2006: Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, Hampshire “Art in the Garden”
  2006: Scottish Highlands Touring Show “Pushing the Boundaries”
  2006: 20-21 Gallery, Scunthorpe “Insect Nation”
  2005: Rook Lane Chapel, Frome “Private Parts”
  2004: Victoria Art Gallery, Bath Bath Society of Artists
  2004: Bath Flower Show, Victoria Park Willow and metal garden sculpture
  2004: Wyeside Gallery, Builth Wells Two month exhibition showing sculpture
  2003: Hotbath Gallery. Bath. “Into the Light” BANA group exhibition
  2003 Bath Flower Show, Victoria Park. Willow and metal garden sculpture.
  2002: Bath Central Library. “A Close-up Look at Small Worlds”.
  2001: Vacant Council Property. Bath “Small Worlds”
  2001: Widcombe Gallery, Bath. Studios Artists Group Show,
  2000: Talks House. Hampshire. “70 Artists in barns, fields and gardens”.

Training

2006: Introductory Certificate in First Line Management Bridgwater College
2005: Garden Design Norton Radstock College
2005: Public Speaking Day “Infront” Bristol
2005: Garden Mosaics The Yarner Trust, Devon
2005: Cob building and sculpture Devon Rural Skills Trust
2005: Wattle and Daub The Yarner Trust, Devon
2000: Creative metalwork City of Bath College
1999: Willow Sculpture Brewhouse Theatre, Taunton
1999: Creative Willow The Greenwood Trust, Wales
1999: Living Willow Structures National Federation of City Farms, Bristol
1998: Close-up Encounters with the Microscope Bath University
1997: CLAIT City of Bath College
1997: Large Format Photography Duckspool Photography Centre
1995: BA(hons)Fine Art Cheltenham Art School


Top of Page