MA Fine Art Graduate awarded Artist in Residence at Shakespeare’s Globe

A professional artist, who graduated from De Montfort University (DMU), is beginning her formal residency at a theatre company renowned for its dedication to the exploration of Shakespeare’s work.

Rosalind Hudson, from Uppingham, Leicestershire, has been given access to the Shakespeare’s Globe in London, where she will gather visual material and other information on the work of Shakespeare and his contemporaries.

Rosalind, who graduated from DMU in 2008 with an MA in Fine Art, said: “I envisage following the preparation, rehearsal and performances of the plays produced in 2010, working towards a body of work to be exhibited at the Globe in the summer of 2011.

“Initially, I will be looking at the costume archive, as I am particularly interested in the aspect of ‘original practices’ i.e. the theatrical convention and practices of the former Elizabethan Globe.”

The original Globe Theatre was demolished in 1644, following the closure of all theatres under England’s Puritan administration. It wasn’t until 1970, that American actor and director Sam Wanamaker founded the Shakespeare Globe Trust with the objective of building a faithful recreation of the Shakespeare’s Globe, which finally opened in 1997. For further information on the Globe, visit http://www.shakespeares-globe.org/

Rosalind is currently studying for a PhD, focusing on cross-dressing in Shakespearean theatre.

She added: “I have been interested in, and influenced by, Renaissance painting and Tudor portraits for some years. The theme of cross-dressing and the wider concept of theatrical transformation and ambiguity has emerged from reflection on previous work, and from literary and historical research into Shakespearean theatre.

“A portion of the work I will exhibit at the Globe may be related to that theme, but much will depend on what emerges from my research.”

Peter Kyle, Chief Executive of The Shakespeare Globe Trust said: "Rosalind's approach to her work closely matches the spirit of enquiry and of discovery that informs so much of our practice at the Globe and we are delighted that she will be joining us as Artist in Residence. We look forward to welcoming her to the Globe and to the exhibition of her paintings in due course."

Her paintings have also gained the attention of The National Trust, who has invited her to show paintings at Blickling Hall in Norfolk next summer.