“Gemma came into our home with a smile on her face and a skip in her step. Our residents really enjoyed themselves doing abstract art with Gemma. Some of our residents who don’t usually get involved with art as they think they can’t do it All of them got involved. Myself as an activity coordinator she gave me some great ideas. You can really see she has a passion for art.”
Harriet Sims, Programme Activities Coordinator at Forbury Care Home, Leominster, Herefordshire.
“My sister thoroughly enjoyed the painting session. She’s usually wanting to leave well before the session end but she was completely involved in her painting and made sure she finished it before she left. She has tried painting by numbers and enjoyed it to a point. However, I think she found it rather restrictive whereas working on the prepared canvas she had a nice balance between detail work and the freedom of being able to ‘slosh’ some paint around and still come up with a really nice painting. She was able to express herself and perhaps work off some frustration in a way she can no longer do since losing the ability to speak. She seemed keen to do some at home.”
A relative of a participant who took part in a Dementia Café in Hereford.
“I was really excited to see Gemma’s application for seed corn funding for our Leominster Meeting Centre heritage project. This involved developing drawing experiments with members, asking how simple ‘mark marking’ opens-up a world of every day creativity, self-expression and relaxation. Gemma had not worked with people living with dementia before and it has been fantastic to see how she has optimised this opportunity and how much difference she has made to Leominster Meeting Centre, both within it and outside in our community as is evidenced by this amazing exhibition.”
Dr. Shirley Evans, Interim Director of The Association for Dementia Studies, Worcester University.
“Gemma has been working with us at Leominster Meeting Centre for a while now and her contribution to the arts and crafts we do has been wonderful. With her encouragement and enthusiasm our Members have engaged in a whole new concept of art, something many of them have never participated in before. Seeing their work exhibited in an exhibition has amazed them and filled them with inspiration. Which is something people with dementia, because of the debilitating nature of the disease, rarely experience.”
Joy Valentini, Trustee and Manager of the Leominster Meeting Centre
“Gemma came to our Retirement Living Sheltered scheme to do some Art work, I was aware predominately it was to work with customers with Dementia, however we did not have any customers with a diagnosis at the time. Gemma was still welcomed into the scheme and ran a one off session where two of customers attended. Customer No1 is very vulnerable with learning difficulties, she was able to express herself through the Art work that she completed, she was able to show her skills and choice of colour which really represents her character as a person, she ended up doing 2 pieces of art work and grown in confidence throughout the session. Customer 2 is very quiet and can get confused with daily tasks and low in mood, her piece of art work really stood out with the use of colour and her formation of paint brush marks. Such a beautiful session which should be explored more with an inclusive approach, as it really was a spectacular session and display of Art work.”
Charlene Barnett, Wellbeing and Community Connector, Sonewater.
“I had the pleasure recently of working with Gemma Moore at a drawing and painting workshop during the Bishop’s Castle Arts Festival. Her character and personality are perfectly compatible with the group we were working with. Gemma possesses a genuine warmth and an interest in all individuals, using humour and gentle persuasion effectively. Everyone responded positively to the positive and inclusive group atmosphere that Gemma effortlessly created.”
Valerie Woodmansey, Dementia Ambassador
“Gemma is an original and inventive feminist artist who confronts important issues head – on. Her latest collaborative project concerns the links between violence against women and toxic masculinity. Why, after decades of campaigning, are women still being abused and killed on our streets ? Gemma shines a light on why this matters and why we should all care.”
Alana Micheal, 2022 www.alanamichael.com @alanamichael29
“Having collaborated with Gemma Moore, I discovered not just a new version of approach to feminism art but also an interesting and elaborate pattern of thinking with a unique method of tackling her Subject matter using art. While Working with Gemma on a project titled “Ideology Reform 2022”, she made her passion to make the street and the world at large a better not just for women but for all strongly evident in all our conversations in the course of the project and also she made them visible using her artworks. I am pleased to say that it is my best collaboration so far and will be glad to carry out more projects together in the nearest future.”
Daniel Jideofor, 2022
“Gemma’s image really captures the atmosphere of the fairground, which was because she used a slow shutter speed. Looking at the photo is just like being there!”
Martin Parr, 2020, British Photographer, https://www.martinparr.com/
“Gemma’s work explores a performative and documentative aspects of protest, whilst navigating different media, such as photography and intervening objects,”
Manuela Sandoval, 2022
“I saw Gemma Moore’s work at the Framework exhibition at the Apple Store Gallery Hereford in March 2022. I was also exhibiting at the time and this particular piece caught my eye immediately. Although I was unaware of the concept behind the work I was struck by its colour and arrangement. The print had connotations for me with art history: Mondrian but also abstract expressionism and late De Kooning no less. The work had a freshness, that looked in the words of Helen Frankenthaler as if it had ” just arrived “. This was her definition of a successful art work and it certainly applies here. Having bought the print I very much look forward to it being framed and hanging on my wall and I eagerly look forward to more work from this artist. ”
John Feeney, 2022
“The text used in the imagery, placed on a hot pink background, challenges the norm of a magazine, communicating messages about women’s position in society and how they are depicted in the media. It asks, ‘Are women trapped? Does the beauty myth still exist?’. This series of images are very different from Moore’s usual use of sculpture, providing a fresh perspective of how she communicates her messages about society. The theme is very typical of the artist, whose work is always quick to reflect on the underlying issues of the world around them, challenging what needs to change in the 21st century. Fake Magazine Fronts focuses in on media depictions of women. The tacky awkward imagery of these photographs, and the quick splicing of text and imagery, creates a powerful contrast to the perfection that is often strived towards by the women in media. The series seems to challenge the way that women are depicted in media, and by society in general, questioning whether we have progressed in our expectations of how women should present themselves. The use of text helps push these ideas forward, stating messages such as, ‘The way out for Women’ and ‘Patriarchy: know the sign’. The imagery depicted reminds me of that by Cindy Sherman, with Moore creating an alternate persona in order to communicate the meaning of her artwork. This false identity created in these images only furthers the message that Moore wishes to convey, revealing the truth that not everything created by media is reality.
Oliver Childs, 2021.
“The text used in the imagery, placed on a hot pink background, challenges the norm of a magazine, communicating messages about women’s position in society and how they are depicted in the media. It asks, ‘Are women trapped? Does the beauty myth still exist?’. This series of images are very different from Moore’s usual use of sculpture, providing a fresh perspective of how she communicates her messages about society. The theme is very typical of the artist, whose work is always quick to reflect on the underlying issues of the world around them, challenging what needs to change in the 21st century. Fake Magazine Fronts focuses in on media depictions of women. The tacky awkward imagery of these photographs, and the quick splicing of text and imagery, creates a powerful contrast to the perfection that is often strived towards by the women in media. The series seems to challenge the way that women are depicted in media, and by society in general, questioning whether we have progressed in our expectations of how women should present themselves. The use of text helps push these ideas forward, stating messages such as, ‘The way out for Women’ and ‘Patriarchy: know the sign’. The imagery depicted reminds me of that by Cindy Sherman, with Moore creating an alternate persona in order to communicate the meaning of her artwork. This false identity created in these images only furthers the message that Moore wishes to convey, revealing the truth that not everything created by media is reality.
“Gemma Moore has a rare talent. Her work invites the viewer to engage in difficult subject matter through use of striking images underpinned by a subtle humour. Her images are well constructed, fresh, honest, and direct; they are challenging and yet draw the viewer in. I look forward to seeing more of her work.”
A.A. 2021.
“I first saw Gemma Moore’s work being exhibited at the Discovery Centre in Craven Arms in 2019, and was immediately struck by the exuberance and life filling her work. Such a beautiful and bold use of colour, coupled with fluid, expressive paintwork, make her paintings really stand out and capture your attention. I have been lucky to meet Gemma again, to see more of her work, both finished pieces and sketchbooks, and I have a copy of one of my favourite pieces hanging at home – one of the Clun Castle series. It catches my eye and makes me smile every time I see it, and there’s always something new to spot within its depths. It is clear that Gemma is a highly creative and accomplished artist, adept at handling artistic techniques and bringing a fresh, vibrant voice to the world of contemporary art.”
Vinnie Martin, 2020.
“Gemma Moore was the 2018 winner of the £1,000 Caitlin’s Kickstart Award ww.caitlinskickstartaward.org.uk [see the 2018 Old Ludlovian cover below]. Gemma draws and paints with an authoritative and lively sense of line and colour. Although some of her earlier prize-winning architectural and rural pieces, frequently drawn from her home in Herefordshire, were inspired by David Hockney’s interpretation of his own Yorkshire landscape, Gemma’s unique talent is clear and exciting.”
Linda Hurcombe, 2020. Author and Founder of The Caitlin Hurcombe Kickstart Fund, reg. charity 1092350
“Gemma has a genuine passion for her art, shows real maturity in giving her best and this shines through into her commissions. I was very impressed, actually rather overwhelmed when Gemma showed me the finished painting of “Tara” (below) – captivating Tara’s personality and likeness so vividly. It hangs proudly in the lounge above her special chair. Anyone who wants their pet captured on canvas, Gemma will do a fantastic job for you.”
Client, 2020.
“Having seen some of Gemma’s contemporary sculptural work last year (2019), I was impressed by the exploration of topic, using scale and sourced objects to highlight meaning, whilst compounding with the strength of previous continuous line artwork.”
Jack Miller, 2020.
“Gemma has developed a very distinctive style in her painting and sketching – much more interesting and engaging that photographic naturalism. She has a particular interest in “sketching” historical buildings in the market towns of the Welsh Marches. She explores a variety of perspectives and lighting; her use of colour is sensitive, restrained and focused – all the more effective for that. A striking young talent!”
Ian Barge, 2020, Shropshire.
“I first came across Gemma’s work at an Arts Festival in the local church and was immediately impressed by her use of colour, line and structure, especially using the technique of continuous line drawings. She has, I know, a wide range of interest in metal work; oils; acrylic; charcoal and gouache, but it seems that her main focus is on the use of watercolour and inks and especially black fine line drawing. I admire her enthusiasm and dedication in pursuit of producing a powerful visual image as part of introducing visual codes of life, which then stimulate a spark to set off the observer’s own thoughts and ideas. I wish Gemma well as she continues to pursue her studies in art.”
C.G., 2020
“It was a beautiful July day when you met my husband and my adorable dog Archie, by the Linny in Ludlow, where you took a picture of Archie and created a most lovely sketched charcoal picture, which hangs proudly on my wall. Very unique and a perfect match to my beloved little dog. Thank you, Gemma.”
Helen Green, 2020.
“Gemma has a genuine passion for her art, shows real maturity in giving her best and this shines through into her commissions. I was very impressed, actually rather overwhelmed when Gemma showed me the finished painting of “Tara” – captivating Tara’s personality and likeness so vividly. It hangs proudly in the lounge above her special chair. Anyone who wants their pet captured on canvas, Gemma will do a fantastic job for you.”
Client, 2020.
“I have enjoyed sharing part of Gemma’s artistic story since she showed me her GCSE projects and have several prints from her portfolio. One particular favourite is from a series of Continuous Line drawings depicting significant buildings in Ludlow, Shropshire, UK. Gemma’s use of colour seems to add vibrancy to the outside of this building which perhaps reflects some of the arts and entertainment still presented inside The Assembly Rooms. Her pen and ink work lend a delicate, almost liquid quality to the image. However, her colour techniques work well with the black on white to define a substantial structure built in 1840, whilst appearing to record its contemporary social relevance.”
Client, 2020.
“Gemma is a gifted and talented artist. I had the pleasure of working with her as she created a new logo for our organisation. Not only does Gemma have an artistic eye, she was able to conceptualise what we had asked for and produce us a logo exactly what we had envisaged. She was incredibly quick and her customer service was second to none. I would not hesitate to work with Gemma again and would highly recommend.”
Client, 2020.
“Very interesting and artistic expression of my local town’s (Ludlow’s) famous buildings and the surrounding areas.”
Jenny Adams, 2020.
Gemma Moore, BA (Hons) M.F.A 