Artist Residencies, 2126: What If?

Ahead of our summer exhibition 2126: What If?, marking Portsmouth’s centenary by reimagining the city 100 years into the future, the exhibiting artists will be in residence in the Artist Studio. Visitors can drop in to explore works in progress, discuss the artists’ creative processes and exhibition concepts, and take part in workshops and activities that contribute to the research shaping this exciting project.

About the artists

Alice Hume is a Textile Artist and Weaver based at Portsmouth Museum & Art Gallery, with 12 years of experience and training from weaving schools in Britain, Japan, and Sweden. The artists’ community-focused practice emphasises collaboration, heritage, and nature through handcrafted techniques. Working mainly on a 56-year-old manual loom, she creates each piece by hand, using plant fibres and vintage yarns. The artists’ weaving integrates embroidery, decorative knots, and spinning techniques. Inspired by the urgency of climate change, she aims to foster environmental awareness while preserving traditional crafts and cultural heritage.

Matt Westbrook is a British artist and educator, and a founding member of Grand Union Studios & Gallery. Born in Portsmouth, he is based in Birmingham, where he leads the Foundation Diploma in Art and Design at Dudley College and is a Visiting Lecturer at Loughborough University.Westbrook works primarily with collage, using found photographs from scientific, engineering, and architectural publications. By cutting, combining, and reworking these images, often within simple self-set limits, he creates new scenes that invite viewers to look closely and find unexpected connections. His practice reflects how hands-on making can continue to shape visual culture in an increasingly digital world. His work has been exhibited nationally and is held in the collection.

María de la O is a Spanish artist who has spent the last 13 years in the UK, she completed a BA in Fine Arts and an MA in Photography, Practices, and Philosophies at Central Saint Martins in London, supported by various scholarships, including The Jane Rapley Scholarship. It was during this time that her approach to imagery became increasingly multidisciplinary and conceptually expansive, integrating photography and collage in a sculptural manner while also incorporating video into her artistic practice. The generation and use of archives play a vital role in her work, which primarily focuses on analysing elements of the environment that capture her interest and transforming them into a something new. Her artistic practice is particularly drawn to the social and political dimensions of art, as well as the unrealised potential within various communities. Believing in the transformative power of art, especially in today’s world, she continuously explores ways to create meaningful connections through her work.