Costume design, production, events, textile and visual arts within dance, carnival, light nights , outdoor events, film and theatre to create striking visuals for a wide range of projects.
One of the main focuses of my practice is sustainability and how to reduce the impact on our planet by upcycling, re-using, utilising environmental materials and employing green practices where possible.
ABOUT :
-1996 , at 16 she was an apprentice on the team creating masquerade costumes with Peter Minshall for Trinidad Carnival 1995 and creating 100’s of batik skirts for the Atlanta Olympic Opening Ceremony & feeling inspired returned to the UK to study Theatre & Costume Design at Central St Martins, London.
-First theatre commission creating costumes and set for the Derek Walcott Trinidad Theatre Workshops 12th Night. a fusion of European literature within a Caribbean context guided by Artistic Director Mr Albert Laveau.
-2001 was employed as the lead costume designer job in London for Sony Entertainment Europe on ‘The Getaway’ which was a totally new experience in working in the digital arts and the games industry. It was a fascinating blend of film production and video games. The game went on to win a BAFTA for best selling game 2001.
-2001, 2003 and 2007 worked on the Carnival Messiah costume team in Leeds - a spectacular theatre show with over 250 costumes created and directed by Geraldine Connor and designed by Clary Salandy of Mahogany Arts, London.
After becoming a Mum to 2 amazing boys in 2001 and 2003 the long hours of the games and theatre industry no longer suited the family so founded Mango Arts an arts collective delivering workshops and carnival workshops in the Yorkshire region working with
Mango allowed the flexibility to work around the boys and fit in with school hours. For 18 years Rhian worked with the incredible RJC Dance most years to create troupes fusing their dynamic choreograph with dance/carnival designs. It was fantastic to bring Caribbean history, heritage, politics and sustainability to the streets of the Leeds. Some of the themes included ‘ Roots & Respect’ ‘Aya’ ‘Rise’ ‘Nu Blu Boys’ ‘‘Mas Movement’ ‘Tighten Yuh Belt’,North It Up, ‘Dance Warriors’ ,‘Re-Use, Recycle, Re-Claim, Nature-Beat, AZUL and Banyan ‘
-2009 returned to Leeds College of Art to study part-time Millinery HNC as was always fascinated by hat and headpiece making techniques. Kempadoo Millar Headwear was formed in 2010 and Rhian has been designer and director creating vibrant ethical flat caps which are manufactured in Yorkshire,UK.
You can see more at www.kempadoo.com
-2020 received an Arts Council R & D grant to explore the idea of ‘Carnival to Canvas’ taking her costume and carnival work into original art pieces and art prints.
During the 2 year Covid 19 crisis she took time to draw, paint and sculpt again -exploring freedom of her carnival experience and creating an expression of movement at a time we have had our freedoms totally restricted.
2023 exhibited my exhibition ‘Dança e Luta’ as part of the Women in Carnival Conference in Leeds, UK in August 2022, in 8100 Loule and at Andre Pillarte, Tavira.
In April 2023 was commissioned by East Street Arts to deliver a large-scale mural in Chapeltown Leeds bringing together the heritage of Leeds West Indian Carnival and creating a tribute to 56 years of carnival in Leeds.
Currently delivering a Sustainable Carnival Arts programme developing themes such as climate change and environmental awareness with the local community and young people in UK and Portugal.
