Congratulations on wining Zealous Stories: Drawing! Could you tell us a little more about the background of The Shed Project, what was it about the miscellaneous objects that captivated you?
In 2013 I set myself the task to fill a sketchbook with a drawing a day. I quickly developed a scissor fetish on which I completed several entries. Around September time I began to record tools with my sixth form students as a drawing exercise. I enjoyed documenting these in my book and thought that the shed would be a great resource for me to complete a drawing a day in 2014. My grandfather died 22 years ago this June and my grandmother has treated it as a mausoleum ever since. The shed has remained relatively untouched, with maintenance being the only reason for access.
I began drawing items from the shed in 2014’s drawing a day and realised that the collection of items in jars and tins were more interesting than the tools.
The book developed into pages of collections of random objects and I began to enjoy pattern and repetition. I didn’t intend to draw every single item, however, my job as an art teacher truly helped sculpt the project into what it is today. I was frustrated by the apathy and general demise in work ethic. Very few pupils realise the time that needs to be spent on creating something of value. I thought, foolishly, “I’ll show them!” I very quickly made the decision to catalogue everything, even multiples, and have not regretted it.