Lost and Found: Artist Talk with Ashley Deyo

Join us for an exclusive artist talk as Ashley Deyo offers a unique glimpse into their creative background, the driving forces behind their residency project, and the artistic concepts that have shaped their work.

Ashley’s approach to the theme of play seeks to merge their childhood past time, exploring nature and getting lost in their imagination, with the art of bricolage.

You will learn about the practice of bricolage- a french term referring to the creative act of assembling existing elements to form something new and meaningful.

During this talk, Ashley will delve into the art historical context of bricolage and how it relates to their own artistic practice. The artist will reveal the inspirations, motivations, and challenges they encountered during “treasure hunt” walks around the Reading area, where they collected disused/discarded items.

After the presentation, the audience will be encouraged to ask questions and engage with the found items and discuss the wider impact of “throw away” culture within our society.

About the artist

Ashley Deyo is an experimental artist creating abstract art that draws from architecture, ideas of belonging, and the meanings we attach to objects and space.

Sustainability sits at the core of their practice. They often work with whatever materials are at hand, transforming salvaged and secondhand objects into new forms.

The built environment captivates them—particularly how structures, nature, and society interweave. Through their work, Ashley examines the intricate connections between people, places, and perspective, highlighting how each person sees the world differently.