Louise Goult (Uncover Cultural Skills)
We’re spotlighting some of the facilitators working on our Uncover Cultural Skills Project (find out more about the project below).
Introducing one of the workshop leaders, Louise Goult. Louise creates research based artwork narrating hidden stories and memories, protecting and honouring them through stitch. Exploring connection to identity, people, personality and changing personas her work uses deconstruction and reconstruction techniques sharing often overlooked stories, re-building pieces much as a story is told and retold…
The Uncover Cultural Skills project seeks to support hidden creative's development and make visible inherent skills that can then be shared and celebrated widely. The aim of the project is to uncover creative skills within different cultures and community groups in Rotherham.
The project is working with 4 groups and 4 artists delivering 6 sessions for each group. BME Young carers group, Apna Haq, YAWR services and Steel City / Masbrough with a different artist working with each group. Uncover Cultural Skills is funded by National Lottery Community Fund. Find out more about the project and the upcoming exhibition in July 2025 here.
“Bringing people together and enabling them to connect with each other and their own creativity is so valuable and a huge reason I do what I do.”
Can you tell us a bit about your practice as a visual artist?
My practice is centred around connection; that may be with others, what has gone before us or the spaces around us. This manifests in my artwork through the themes, techniques and materials explored. Connections are also highly evident in the socially engaged, participatory workshops and arts projects that I deliver.
Why do you create?
I create as a means of connecting with others or a subject matter; it is innate and within me. Bringing people together and enabling them to connect with each other and their own creativity is so valuable and a huge reason I do what I do.
Can you tell us about your role in the Uncover Cultural Skills project in Rotherham and your experience with it so far?
I worked with Apna Haq; initially we explored different types of embroidery and textile skills such as repair of clothing to decide what techniques the group would like to take forwards to create something for exhibition. The group had recently undertaken a course around freedom and what it meant for them. They decided that they would like to use some of their newly found hand embroidery skills to create a collective banner visually sharing what freedom meant to them. Apna Haq were a fantastic group to work with, very creative and their banner is fabulous!
Do you consider yourself to be part of an artist network/community, and if so, how does this impact you and your practice?
I am part of a few different networks and find that this is of huge benefit to my practice. Having people who get what you do, who can offer advice or listen is a really big thing. It helps me to clarify where I would like to go with my practice and also to work out things that I'm finding challenging. I also enjoy supporting other artists and creatives through these networks.
What changes would you like to see in the wider arts sector?
There are many fundamental changes I would like to see! I think firstly that artists and arts workers are paid fairly and inline with other sectors, taking into account the huge benefits arts brings to people and so that young people can see arts as a viable career. I'd like to see artists in different spaces, working with communities so that art is available for everyone to take part in.
“There are many fundamental changes I would like to see! I think firstly that artists and arts workers are paid fairly and inline with other sectors, taking into account the huge benefits arts brings to people and so that young people can see arts as a viable career.”
What are your future aspirations as a visual artist and have you got anything coming up you’d like to share?
I have a solo exhibition coming up in May called Identity. Through this, I'm piecing together my thoughts on identity and personality. The exhibition asks why we change our personality in different situations, and whether this is always for justifiable reasons. Just as the artworks are stitched together, the viewer pieces together their thoughts on these pertinent questions. Viewing the layers of fabric, we are reminded of the layers of the self, and must question whether our true self is ever truly revealed.
As for future aspirations I would like to connect with wider community groups, taking art to those less likely to engage with the wider arts sector and keep developing my own art too.
Links:
www.louisegoulttextiles.co.uk
www.instagram.com/louisegoulttextiles
www.facebook.com/louisegoulttextiles