Last September, we were pleased to welcome graduate Maisie Pritchard to Paradise Works, who joined us after winning a Studio Bursary through our annual partnership with The Manchester School of Art. A new initiative in its second year, the bursary includes a studio for twelve months in addition to mentoring.

Maisie Pritchard in her studio at Paradise Works

Former studio bursary winner and PW Marketing Assistant Gwen Evans caught up with Maisie, to discuss what she’s been up to since receiving the bursary.

How would you describe your practice?

My practice is concerned with the impracticalities existing within architectural design methods implemented within the urban environment. I am interested in how these designs often, ironically, act as a deterrent to the public using facilities, such as street furniture. Simple features for example metal spikes or dividers prevent us from using these spaces in particular ways. These elements of hostile architecture and tactical urbanism are a universal experience within the cityscape; found within both council and privately-run spaces. I am fascinated by the ways in which we can disrupt or tackle these hostile environments, through the use of social arts and sculpture.

What have you been up to since graduating?

I recently wrote to the council to ask if I could repair some neglected planters in The Northern Quarter. Since then I’ve been working on the project with Ruth (a council representative) and Jonathan Keenan (a local photographer) to green up and partially pedestrianise Edge Street. This is a slow and meaningful process, as it’s being run through the council, meaning we can’t just remove parking spaces and paint the street green! We’re slowly but surely attempting to prove that we deserve more green space and vibrancy in Manchester. I’ve also been busy running a sign building workshop with PW studio member James Ackerley for the ‘Bridgewater Community Garden’ project, located outside PW. For this project we’ve been working with young people from The Princes Trust , which is challenging but definitely useful in building my confidence and engaging with participants.

Lastly a big thanks to PW for selecting me to join their Glasgow research trip, where we visited WASPS, CCA, Tramway and more including the Baltic Street Adventure Playground which was really exciting and heart-warming. Me and Lucy definitely shed some tears. I found it pretty amazing that it not only offered physical support, but social, emotional and developmental well-being.

Sign workshop with the ‘The Princes Trust’ for the ‘Bridgewater Community Garden’ project.

‘Take a seat Prototype’ 2019 by Maisie Pritchard

‘Experimental Intervention’ by Maisie Pritchard

How has winning the studio opportunity at Paradise Works influenced your work?

I suppose I’ve naturally been drawn to collaborative projects and community commissions. The ‘Bridgewater Community Garden’ project PW has been a great opportunity in starting out in socially-engaged projects. I can really appreciate Paradise Works’ initiative to embed themselves in the surrounding community and create a permanent space for great artists! I’m very on board with that. Since graduating and being part of the PW community, I know that people are very important in my practice; I would like to sustain a strong and healthy network. I can only move forward in my practice knowing that I am benefiting others too, I think this is possible with support from PW.

Do you have any advice for recent graduates?

Apply for everything! Seize every opportunity that you come across and feel is relevant to you. This will fill in the gaps of feeling stuck or lost, and keep yourself/practice busy. It’s also great to have breaks too! A breather is necessary when graduating from art school.

Ambitions for the future?

To keep going with community/group projects. My confidence in public speaking is slowly bettering itself, I want to keep improving that. I’d also like to make a start on my public sculptures, they will start small and hopefully grow big! Eventually I would like to study an MA in social arts, maybe in Germany. Tanks!