Amy Goodwin
Hook a Duck stall (detail)
Dr. Amy Goodwin is a traditional signwriter, fairground artist and lecturer, based in Cornwall. Growing up she spent summers travelling steam fairs in the West Country. This has instilled a strong sense of heritage and tradition in her practice: she works solely by hand, using no tape or digital assistance. In regard to commissions, she works predominantly in the heritage industry: steam engines, fairgrounds and circuses. This commercial work is accompanied by an authorial and academic practice: creating work for exhibitions, a series of lecturing roles and the completion of a Practice-Led PhD. This PhD utilised traditional signwriting and illustrative storytelling to re-establish the identities of five fairground females.
Amy is interested in showcasing how an innovative use of a traditional craftsmanship – signwriting – can be installed in a gallery context, a space in which the skill is seldom seen. This series of limited edition works takes inspiration from fairground round stalls, such as the infamous hook-a-duck stall. The panels evoke romantic notions of flamboyant, meticulous and colourful signage, undoubtedly reminiscent of a traditional fairground scene.
Instagram: @amy.goodwin.signwriter