Holly Staniforth

Cohesiveness is not an intrinsic aspect to my personal life, often feeling disjointed, this theme has also found a place within my practice. A characteristic once a hindrance, something I can now use to my advantage. Instagram: @hollystaniforth

Constantly dipping my hand into new jars, from observational outside perspectives on the everyday, recreating the familiar in the unfamiliar using 3D, to bookbinding. Despite the outward disjointed nature, there are connecting themes that run throughout. Exploiting the limits of colour and how it’s perceived. Utilising the virtual space to reinvigorate the aspects of our lives we take for granted and implement surreality as if being viewed through the lens of a dream. As well as capturing people and life with an air of anonymity, capturing people through their words and the spaces they leave behind.

Where would you like your work to take you?

I’m still in the process of finding my creative voice and direction, but I think I’m close to solidifying what it is that I would like my work to represent, so as of yet the journey I want to take with my work is still a bit cloudy but the unknown is something I find exciting, seeing what mysteries lie ahead.

Which part of your creative process do you enjoy most?

For me, my favourite part of my creative process is seeing where my idea’s take me, sometimes I find it difficult to create directions and leads to follow so when inspiration strikes it’s interesting to see where it will end up.

Where do you draw inspiration from?

I think inspiration can come from anywhere, recently it’s been Adam Curtis, a few weeks ago I was stuck in my head a bit too much, but a photographer I follow Sophie Hur, uploaded a YouTube video during lockdown 1 (a now distant memory) collaging and layering two images together chosen at random from old images, it really helped re-inspire me, to create first and think about the meanings later.

What piece of music would you say compliments your work the most?

This one was a hard one, maybe Lily Allen? Especially with my more recent work the optimistic pop sound mixed with more melancholy lyrics that aren’t as apparent on first listen, it’s a dichotomy I’m very much interested in and her music encapsulates that.

Can you list a couple other creatives/friends/people you look to for inspiration?

Lily Allen, Tiffany Young, Sophie Calle, as well as my tutors and friends at university, they’ve helped me develop my work in ways that I would have previously never thought of.