About

“Ostranenie': encouraging people to see common things as strange, wild or unfamiliar; de-familiarizing what is known in order to know it more differently or more deeply”
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As a magpie of treasures that others would deem mundane and invaluable, Fran is fascinated by ‘ostranenie’. Finding beauty in surfaces and objects that are blemished and imperfect, resonates within her whole practice; seeking to challenge the viewers perception of the familiar or previously overlooked, as well as the value attributed to the used and the antique.

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Responding to found objects (usually of a rusty variety!) as well as her own photographs of surface pattern and texture, Fran works with mixed media/ textiles. She aims to balance these found items with tactile mark making, meticulous needlelace stitch and an element of weaving; to create layered, often textural pieces permeated with intrigue

Fran is happy to supply artwork to galleries and shops, and to work with community groups. She also has experience in curating exhibitions.

Fran is based in both her hometown of Stoke-on-Trent and her studio home from home, Stafford.

Visit Fran's studio space at:
Unit Twelve
4a Bath Lane,
Hixon,
Stafford,
​ST18 0FG



Press




Exhibitions/ Shows

 “Made in the Middle” touring exhibition Upcoming: 2025-2026

Summer Retail Showcase 'A Sense of Place' Mostyn Gallery, Llandudno, 2022

“Warp, Weft, Stitch, Thread” exhibition Gallery 57, Arundel, 2021

“The Joy of Repetition” exhibition Unit Twelve, 2020

“Is It Useful” exhibition Unit Twelve, 2018

Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair Manchester, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2019

Lustre Contemporary Craft and Design Fair Nottingham, 2024, 2023, 2018, 2017

Craft Festival Cheltenham, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2019

Craft Festival Bovey Tracey, 2022, 2019

Hand and Treasure Vintage craft 2024