Artist statement
Concepts
I am involved in the creation of ephemeral artworks that have been made from a wide variety of locally found, site specific materials and sited in contrasting sympathetic locations such as woodland and beaches. A number of ideas and themes behind the continued evolution of the work are derived from aspects related to issues and concerns in the natural environment; some of the works are created in response to observations of natural phenomena and change such as the processes of erosion and growth. Increasingly my work has also been influenced by subtle interventions of mans past influence on the land such as archaeological and historical/geographical issues specific to an area. At times, I feel my woodland and beach debris installations are an attempt to discover an alternative natural "code" or previously hidden language whilst sketching out detailed design drawings help to clarify how these arrangements can take shape.
Influences
I am influenced by a wide range of sources of inspiration, such as natural flora and Geology and how past Neolithic and Bronze Age cultures and other civilisations have interpreted the natural world. I aspire to collections of plants, fossils and stones, focusing on individual colour and textured surfaces. Ordnance survey maps and weather charts are used as back up Informative sources in order to recreate personalised maps made from natural materials or sketched out in charcoal on rocks and trees. I also relate to artists that have interpreted the landscape inked through to map and historical sources, such as Robert Smithson and Richard Long. In particular, with reference to my design drawings, I am influenced also by the detailed layout of sketches on sheets by Leonardo da Vinci. More recently I've become inspired by meetings with aboriginal communities during past Australian residencies, who encouraged me to use charcoal and mud drawn directly onto rock and tree surfaces.
Career path
From 1983-87 I attended Wrexham College of Art, gaining an ordinary and Higher National Diploma in Art/Design and Ceramics respectively. I then went to Edinburgh College of Art and gained an Honours Degree in Ceramics whilst developing a parallel interest in Environmental Art. After graduating I survived the first years on state benefits whilst building up a body of work; this gave me invaluable breathing space to establish contacts with local Arts Officers, attend meetings and private views and send off information to galleries. Gradually I began to undertake small 'one off' residencies that combined conducting educational workshops and developing my own work. A combination of larger profile one person exhibitions and awards resulted in overseas residencies across Europe, Dubai and Australia. I continue to make a living from participating in residencies, workshops and selling my photographs of art and drawings. The impetus to create art comes itself from an unceasing inner urge and need to continue to explore and evolve my practise.
Solo exhibitions
- 2010 Natural Rhythms, Rhuddlan Library, Denbighshire
- 2009 Tim Pugh, Oriel Theatr Cymru, Mold, North Wales
- 2008 'Tim Pugh', The Durber Gallery, Wrexham, North Wales
- 2007 'Natural Selection', Rhyl Arts Centre, Rhyl, Denbighshire
- 2007 'Leaf, Wood, Stone, Shell', Oriel Galeri, Caernarfon, Gwynedd
- 2006 'Leaf and Drawing', Rhuddlan Library, Rhuddlan
- 2004 Tim Pugh, Royal Cambrian Academy, Conwy
- 2003 Oriel Focus, Theatre Clwyd, Mold
- 2002 Coastal Arrangements, Rhyl Library, Rhyl
- 2000 Coal, Wrexham Library and Arts Centre, Wrexham, North Wales
- 2000 Linking the Lands, Wilderness Gallery, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
- 1999 Natural Elements, Llandudno, Denbigh, Buckley, North Wales
- 1996 Tim Pugh : Drawings And Photographs, Worcester Museum and Art Gallery
- 1996 Installation For River Festival, Worcester, Worcestershire
- 1994 Out Of The Landscape, Dinbigh, Denbigshire, North Wales
- 1993 Vision : The Environment, Rhyl, Flintshire, North Wales
- 1993 Sculpture, Milton Keynes Exhibition Gallery/Library
Group exhibitions
- 2010 Time/Zeit, Stadtischen Galeri, Ludensheid, Germany
- 2010 High Tide, John Moores University, Liverpool
- 2010 Climate Change, Rhyl Library and Arts Centre, Denbighshire
- 2010 (Space Between), International Gallery, Liverpool
- 2010 A Visual Feast, Royal Cambrian Academy, Conwy
- 2009 Stories From the Sea, Denbigh Library Gallery, Denbigh, Denbighshire
- 2009 National Eisteddfod, Bala, Bala, Gwynedd
- 2009 Welsh Artist of the Year, Cardiff City Hall, Cardiff, South Wales
- 2009 Grosvenor Open, Grosvenor Museum, Chester, Cheshire
- 2008 Drawing On, Rhyl Library and Arts Centre, Rhyl, Denbighshire
- 2008 Gai Project; Urban Ecology, Albert Dock, Liverpool
- 2008 'Inside Out', Village Centre, Llanarmon D.C. Wrexham
- 2008 'Welsh Artist of the Year', St Davids Hall, Cardiff
- 2007 'North Wales Open', Theatre Clwyd, Mold, Flintshire
- 2007 'Wasserspiegel', Muhlberg, Elbe-Elster district, Germany
- 2006 'Hud A Lledrith Llyn', Oriel Plas Glyn-y-Weddw, Llanbedrog
- 2006 University of Glamorgan Prize Exhibition, Millennium Centre, Cardiff
- 2006 'Lines and Strata', Theatre Mwldan Gallery, Cardigan
- 2006 'Wales Drawing 05/06', Wrexham Library and Arts Centre, Wrexham
- 2006 'Eyri', National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth
- 2005 Time and Place, Oriel Corwen, Corwen
- 2004 Summer Show, Galerie Wandlebar, Gstaad, Switzerland
- 2004 Native Land, Oriel Mostyn, Llandudno
- 2002 Ystyr Y Tir, Lorient, Brittany, France
- 2000 Wales Drawing Biennale 99, Wrexham, Aberystwyth, Cardiff, Swansea, Mold
- 2000 Changing Spaces, St Helens, Knowsley, Liverpool
- 2000 Ruptures, Landivisia, Brittany, France
- 1999 Solitude, Carnegie Gallery, Hobart Tasmania, Australia
- 1996 Econstructions, Tamworth Arts Centre, Staffordshire
- 1996 Second Open Air Sculpture Exhibition, Wysing Arts, Cambridge
- 1996 The Last Dance, Theatre Clwyd, Flintshire
- 1996 Young Wales III, Royal Cambrian Academy, Conwy
- 1996 Into The Elements, Newport Museum/Library, South Wales
- 1995 Clwyd And North Wales Young Professionals, Oviedo, Gijon, Murcia, Madrid, Spain
- 1995 Mapping The Margins, Brewhouse Arts Centre, Somerset
- 1995 Oh I Do Like To Be Beside The Seaside, Crescent Arts, Scarborough, Yorkshire
- 1995 Group Exhibition, Black Sheep Gallery, Hawarden
- 1995 Grosvenor Museum Open, Chester, Cheshire
Residencies
