Kirsty Russell

Kirsty Russell considers the body as a field of political, social and artistic knowledge. Her research project, Practising bodies, explores the continuous physical stresses and strains placed on the human body as it is forced to function in contemporary society. Kirsty Russell devotes her time to exploring archival images and videos from the hospital and care sector, and more broadly from working-class and local history. The artist focuses mainly on the effects of the repetitive nature of work and the intergenerational transfer of pain. Reflection on materials and processes is also at the heart of Kirsty Russell's practice. During this residency, she is developing her project through embroidery, moving image and sculptural practice.

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Kirsty Russell is a visual artist who works with sculptures and references to events exploring various social and cultural support systems. These interests were first sparked by the artist's observations of the effects of these structures on the bodies of her sister and mother, both of whom worked in the healthcare sector in Scotland. Her practice spans locations such as hospitals and schools, where she works as an artist, project collaborator and in other supportive roles. It's a practice that seeks to use and reclaim the efforts and tools used in these particular contexts.

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Politically, Kirsty Russell's work contributes to a cross-sectoral movement that aims to raise our consciousness of healthcare and prevention. Rooted in feminist thinking, her artistic practice draws attention to work that is often taken for granted and devalued in a capitalist, patriarchal society governed by production. 

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BIOGRAPHY

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Born in 1990, Kirsty Rusell is an artist based in Aberdeen, Scotland. Her work has recently been shown at Cubitt Gallery (City, 2024) Talbot Rice Gallery (2024), Mimosa house (2024), Edinburgh Art Festival (2021), Glasgow Women's Library (2019) and Jerwood Staging Series (2019). In 2018, she was selected to undertake Syllabus IV, an alternative learning program produced in collaboration with art centers Wysing Arts Centre, Spike Island, Studio Voltaire, S1 Artspace, Eastside Projects and Iniva. In 2023, she was awarded the Jerwood New Work Foundation. From 2022 to 24, Kirsty was resident at the Talbot Rice Gallery located in Edinburgh College of Art, The University of Edinburgh. Kirsty Russell is one-fifth of Tactics for Togetherness, a group of artists exploring collaboration and the sharing of resources. Kirsty is one fifth of Tactics for Togetherness, an artist group exploring collaboration and resource sharing.

RECENT EXHIBITIONS

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2024

Practising Bodies, solo exhibition, Cubitt Gallery, London (UK)

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Talbot Rice Residents Exhibition, group exhibition, Talbot Rice Gallery, Edinburgh (SCT)

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