Approved: 22.01.2007

Caroline Watson

Artist

Approved: 22.01.2007

Inspired by memory, dreams and childhood and coloured by an interest in history, folklore and science, my work explores imagination, and takes me on a journey into the infinite world and weird spaces of the psyche. By using a sort of dream logic, I aim to capture something of the emotive and transient qualities experienced on this adventure

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Artist Statement

Inspired by memory, dreams and childhood and coloured by an interest in history, folklore and science, my work explores imagination, and takes me on a journey into the infinite world and weird spaces of the psyche. By using a sort of dream logic, I aim to capture something of the emotive and transient qualities experienced on this adventure

My recent work employs a visual language informed by the world of puppets. This language has an uncanny theatricality, which chimes well with the strange and symbolic manifestations of subconscious thought.

 During lockdown, I began to take regular walks in the local woods. These walks not only gave me solace, but also provided me with space to dream, and my current research places my ideas within the context of the forest.

As well as painting, I create works from recycled materials, namely; wood, old fabrics and papier mache. The addition of 3D and photography to my practice, increases the opportunity to work organically and playfully; using these objects for small installations, as props or prompts for paintings, or simply as works in their own right.

 

CV & Education

Higher Education

1994 - 1997 University of the West of England, BA (Hons) Degree in Fine Art

1997 - 1998 University of the West of England, Certificate of extension studies.

Selected Exhibitions

2022 -23 Out Of The Dark, View Art Gallery, Bristol

2022 'So You Think You Are Safe In the Woods?' Centrespace Gallery, Bristol (2 person show)

2022 BV Open Studios, Bristol

2022 Millfield Open, Atkinson Gallery, Street

2021 -22 'A Generous Space, Hastings Contemporary, Hastings

2021 'Memento Mori' Air Gallery, Altrincham

2021 Ritual, West Art Collective, Antwerp Mansion, Manchester

2020 "Isolation" online exhibition, View Art Gallery, Bristol

2020 "Contemporary Painters 2020" Centrespace Gallery

2019 "Mannequins and Puppets", Loosen Art, Millepiani, Rome

2019 "All Work and All Play" Air Gallery, Altrincham

2019 BV Open Studios, Bristol

2019 “Shadows” Loosen Art, Millepiani, Rome 

2018 "Fringe Things", Hours gallery, Bristol (solo show)

2018 “Doorways”, Fringe Arts Bath Festival

2018 BV Open Studios, Bristol

2017 "Fairyland" Hours gallery, Bristol (solo show)

2017 Electric Open, Electric Picture House, Cheshire.

2017 "Go Wild in the Country" Bruton Art Factory, Somerset

2017 BV Open Studios, Bristol

2016 Black Swan Arts Open, Frome

2016 BV Open Studios, Bristol

2015 BV Open Studios, Bristol

2014 Summer Salon, View Art Gallery, Bristol

2014 BV Open Studios, Bristol

2013 Bristol Puppet Festival

2012 "The Uncanny", Chapel Gallery, Ormskirk, Lancashire

2011 Royal West of England Academy, Autumn Show, Bristol

2010 Fire and Iron Gallery, Surrey

2010 "Comfortably Strange", View Art Gallery, Bristol

2008 "Firework Folk" Room 212 & Rainbow Cafe, Bristol (solo show)

2007 ING Discerning Eye, The Mall Galleries, London

2007 Bristol Art Show, Centrespace, Bristol

2007 Society of Graphic Fine Art annual exhibition, Menier Gallery, London

2007 Millfield Summer Show, Atkinson Gallery

2006 Octogan Theatre,Yeovil (solo show)

2006 "Myth and Magic", Bridgwater Arts Centre (solo show)

2006 Royal West of England Academy Autumn Show

2006 Chichester Open Art Exhibition

2006 Society of Graphic Fine Art annual exhibition, Menier Gallery, London

2006 Black Swan Open Arts Competition, Black Swan Arts, Frome

2006 “Re-worked”, Oriel Washington Gallery, Penarth

2005 Royal West of England Academy Autumn Show

2005 Chichester Open Art Exhibition

2005 “The Bristol Pack” launch exhibition, Centrespace, Bristol

2005 Millfield Summer Show, Atkinson Gallery

2005 Royal West of England Academy Open Painting Exhibition

2005 “Apex”, Candid Arts Trust, London

2004 Prema, Uley, Gloucester (solo show)

2004 "Penny Bazaar", Centrespace Gallery, Bristol (solo show)

 2004 Royal West of England Academy Autumn Show

2004 Cheltenham Art Prize Open Exhibition

2004 Black Swan Open exhibition,

2003 “Figure This”, Stroud Valley Visual Arts Festival

2003 “Tread Softly”, Black Swan Arts, Frome

2002 Black Swan Open Painting Competition, Black Swan Arts, Frome

Awards

2007 Commended, Millfield Summer Show

2005 Award for Painting, sponsored by Bristol Fine Art, RWA Autumn Show 

2004 Commended in Fine Art, Black Swan open exhibition

2002 Burton Sweet Award; First prize in the Black Swan open painting competition