Artist statement
Fascinated by the tenuous connection between past, present and future and the shadowy, illusive meaning of time, Annie Woodford makes work that is both haunting and enigmatic. The complex cultures of the world’s indigenous people, their rituals, belief systems and view of the cosmos, have been an important influence - amalgamating the mystical, magical and mythical.
Shifting boundaries between science and metaphysics, the evolution of new technology and an enduring interest in parallel universe theory have instilled her pieces with a heightened intensity, whilst an obsession with hidden worlds has prompted recent investigations into microscopy - making the unseen seen.
A passion for frozen environments and the message they embrace, not only from the past but also for the future of our planet, has resulted in research trips to the Arctic and Iceland and a detailed study of the coldest place on earth- Antarctica. The dichotomy between mankind’s wish for progress and his proclivity for self-destruction has become an important theme.
The work has an elegant complexity, sometimes lyrically evocative and mysterious, often disturbing and unnerving. Seemingly tranquil in nature but possessing an underlying tension, it speaks of things that are at once both strange and familiar. Existing not in the past, present or future but hovering in a place between, waiting hidden from view.
"Her work is about frozen environments, about capturing a fundamental essence of humanity. The resulting pieces are often disturbing objects that appear to be hybrids of cellular organisms, torture implements, tribal tools and early medical utensils. Titles such as
Savage Trap, Innocent Intruder and
Trace Shifter heighten this sense of darkness and danger, of an encounter with some kind of primeval lifeform"
Cigale Hanoar - Breaking the Mould: New approaches to Ceramics. Black Dog Publishing, 2007
Current and forthcoming events
- March 2009 - March 2011: 7th British International Mini Print Exhibition, London Print Studio ( and Touring), London (more info)
Qualifications and training
- 1984 MA (RCA), Royal College of Art, London
- 1980 BA Hons (First Class), Middlesex Polytechnic, London
Employment
- 1980 Assistant to the Buyer, Liberty (Arts and Crafts Department)
Solo exhibitions
- 1990 Anatol Orient (represented by Anatol Orient ), London
- 1989 Michaelson and Orient (represented by Anatol Orient), London
- 1987 Seibu, Japan
- 1986 Anatol Orient, London
- 1985 Royal Overseas League, London
Group exhibitions
- 2009 World Contemporary Ceramics Exhibition, 5th World Ceramic Biennale, World Ceramic Foundation, Icheon Museum, South Korea
- 2008 Taiwan print Biennale, National Museum of Fine Arts (and Touring), Taiwan R.O.C.
- 2008 Taiwan International Ceramics Biennale, Taiwan Ceramics Museum, Taiwan R.O.C.
- 2008 Federation Gallery, Vancouver, Canada
- 2008 Center for Contemporary Printmaking, Connecticut U.S.A.
- 2008 Originals - the Contemporary Printmaking Show, Mall Galleries, London
- 2007 Aomori Print Triennale, Aomori Contemporary Art Gallery, Japan
- 2007 Man Photography Prize, Royal College of Art, London
- 2007 The Print Show, Weekend Gallery, Hastings
- 2007 Infiltrating the System, Bookmarks V, University of West England, Touring to Japan, USA, New Zealand, Poland, Croatia
- 2007 Art Auction for Fairleigh Hospice, Firstsite Gallery, Essex
- 2007 Bookmarks Project (Situation Leeds), Leeds University, -
- 2006 The Postcard Show, Surface Gallery, Nottingham
- 2006 GIFT, Museum MAN (Liverpool Biennial), Liverpool
- 2006 Objects in Waiting, Sheffield University, Sheffield
- 2006 Object and Still Life, Artonomy Fine Art, Truro Cornwall
- 2005 Art Auction for Fairleigh Hospice, Firstsite Gallery, Essex
- 2005 Boxed 'n' Cased, Hastings Museum and Art Gallery, Sussex
- 2004 Drawing the Line, Orleans House Gallery, London
- 1997 Seibu, Japan
- 1995 Bridging Cultures, Northern Arts Touring Exhibition (4 venues)
- 1992 International Ceramics Competition, Mino, Japan
- 1991 Contemporary Ceramics, Prema Arts, Gloucestershire
- 1990 London Contemporary Art Fair
- 1989 Chicago International Art Fair, USA
- 1989 International Ceramics Competition, Mino, Japan
- 1988 Royal College of Art at Liberty, London
- 1988 Portobello Art Fair, London
- 1987 Bath Contemporary Art Fair
- 1987 The Box Show, Artsite, Bath
- 1986 Casson Gallery, London
- 1986 Cecilia Colman, London
- 1986 Yew Tree Gallery, Derbyshire
- 1986 Cre Gallery, London
- 1985 Anatol Orient, London
Public commissions
- 1998 Colchester and Tendring Arts Project, UK
- 1997 Colchester and Tendring Arts Project, UK
Corporate commissions
- 1998 Western Atlas Int Inc., Houston and London
- 1996 The Dance Depot, Paris and London
- 1992 Landmark Graphics Corp:, London
Projects
- 2006 Beyond the Surface of Things, (Project funding from the Juliet Gomperts Arts Trust), Iceland
- 2006 Freezing the Light, (in association with physicists and intervention artists), Europe
- 2006 Cloud Seeding, Large scale installation, Private estate in France
Competitions, prizes and awards
- 2009 Finalist International Print Biennale, Guanlan Museum, China
- 2009 Invited Artist, World Ceramic Biennale, World Ceramic Foundation, Icheon Museum, South Korea
- 2008 Bronze Award Taiwan International Ceramics Biennial, Taiwan Ceramics Museum, Taiwan R.O.C.
- 2007 Shortlisted Man Photography Prize, Royal College of Art, London
- 2006 Selected for Crafts Council Photostore, Crafts Council, London
- 2006 Project Funding Award, Juliet Gomperts Trust, London
- 1994 Prizewinner Wedgwood Bicentennial Award
- 1987 Crafts Council Award
- 1983 Royal College of Art Travel Scholarship
Educational experience - secondary
- 1986 Epsom School of Art (until 1989)
Web links - article/press
Personal website
