About me

I am an experienced artist, art tutor and mother of two weaving life and art together through playing, mark making and exploration of the natural environment. 

​I produce large, ethereal, woven wall art and nature inspired outdoor sculptural installations for festivals and public spaces. My preferred materials are recycled or naturally sourced and my work often observes the resilience of nature to overcome, when given the opportunity.

Commissioned public art is a celebration of human commonality, and made in collaboration with diverse groups. My aim is to draw out the creativity of everyone involved. I find this an antidote to digital and media diatribe and try to imbue my work with that intuitive, first connection. Inviting others to participate and do the same. 
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Picture
Posed with my husband and sidekick; Alan Culf. Formidable technician, carpenter and cheerleader. Photo by Aleksandra Warchol 2022 at Imagine Watford Festival.

My studio is based in Croxley Green, Hertfordshire, where I create intuitive wall hangings from carefully selected, ethically sourced textiles and biodegradable fibres.

Process

My work always begins by playing. I find an object and fidget it with it. What would happen ‘if’ I put that there? Or turned it this way and that? If I try to control things too much, it doesn’t work. Sometimes, when walking I imagine whole art installations and performances panning out in front of me but rather than being overcome, I start with a smaller object and begin to weave or sculpt. The physical touch grounds me.

I know my style is unusual as most weavers start from the bottom up, but I like to work as if I'm painting; dotting around the image as if it's a three-dimensional canvas. ​
"Over the past twenty years or more that I have known Victoria I have had the pleasure of working with her on numerous occasions. She produces workshops of quality, tailored to a variety of abilities, all based on her own exciting and inspiring ideas. She works equally well with both small or larger groups, and many ages. Victoria also has the ability carry off the wearing of Pirate costume with some panache" Roger Kattenhorn, Artist & Treasurer, WRAP. (Watford Recycling Arts Project.

Quebrada de los cuervos. Uruguay.

History

​I knew I wanted to be an artist ever since I could hold a pencil. I'd spend ages observing the world around me and trying to capture and process what I'd seen. At 7 my mother took me to her homeland, Uruguay, for the first time and my senses were enlivened by the rich farming heritage and vibrant culture there. My family lived on the coast. It seemed like I was related to everyone, and they were all artisans, like me. Everything that was farmed or fished was used and nothing was wasted. It felt honest and harmonious.
I saw the colours of carnival seep into rich tapestries hanging over the mantlepieces of family homes. The scents of fresh leather, wool, wood and sea water filled my nostrils, and awakened my soul. Peach stones were polished into necklace beads. Seedpods charms for earrings. And the raw ingenuity stayed with me.
As I made my way through contemporary fine art with a degree in my twenties, worked the carnival scene and later studied for an MA in art therapy I realised that my first love was the only one that mattered. I went full circle. Back to the simple responses of a creative child in their environment. ​