Vicki Aimers

“When we read a story, we inhabit it. The covers of the book are like a roof and four walls. What is to happen next will take place within the four walls of the story. And this is possible because the story’s voice makes everything its own.”  John Berger, Artist and Author

I’m a Book Artist and Workshop Provider. My work focuses on creative storytelling intertwined with elements of social history.  For the last few years, I have focused on the fascinating lives of some forgotten women in history and, in particular, female astronomers such as Caroline Herschel and Maria Mitchell. These were stories I explored in my MA in Authorial Illustration at Falmouth University.

I collaborate with a number of institutions and museums to bring items in their collections to life in creative ways, by taking part in public events, organising workshops and developing online activities on a variety of art and storytelling techniques. These can include simple printing, book and zine making, stitch and inventive writing and poetry exercises.

At the moment, I’m working with Kresen Kernow researching into the story of Catherine Payton Phillips (1727 – 1794) from Redruth. She was a Quaker Minister, campaigner and interested in local ecology.

I also arrange workshops at Krowji and across the South West, enabling others to explore their stories and memories through interesting projects. I offer creative mentoring, where we work together over a number of sessions experimenting different art techniques to bring your narrative into focus.

I’m the founder of the Palimpsest Project. This initiative helps record fragmented memories and stories of families through projects and kits. My current research is about the history of piecework. This is particularly apt in light of the pandemic crisis, with parents trying to navigate how to work from home while looking after loved ones.

Find me on Instagram: vicki_aimers    palimpsest_project   the_book_smith