Artist statement
Heritage interpretation plays an important part in Theresa Easton’s practice. Easton is interested in exploring cultural and historical episodes using contemporary printmaking processes.
Central to Easton’s creative practice is the role of printmaking. Easton is interested in pushing the boundaries in printmaking and working with alternative materials to paper. Using printing techniques with glass, ceramics, brick clay and metal, Easton explores the inherent qualities of the material. Easton delivers regular workshops in printmaking & bookbinding from her studio in the heart of the cultural quarter of Newcastle, in the Ouseburn Valley.
Easton works within the public and private sector, working to commission, producing studio work for gallery exhibitions and delivering creative educational projects.
The Sunderland Book Project is an on-going project organised by Easton, which encourages participants to make a book in response to the city of Sunderland. The project provides exhibition opportunities for participants, with a national and international touring programme including the University of West of England, Teesside University and Sunderland Winter Gardens. The project is free to join; more information can be found at http://theresaeaston.wordpress.com.
Easton’s interest in Artist’s Books began with an international collaborative project in 2007 with The Penny Histories and has since expanded to include organising The Gallery North Artist’s Book Fair in 2010, documented in The Art of The Book, contributing a handmade book to the al-Mutanabbi Street Starts Here Project and more recently, having bookwork selected to become part of the Tate’s Library collection of artist’s books in 2012. Recent bookwork projects include taking part at Pyramid Atlantic Book Arts Fair & Conference, Washington DC November 2012 and exhibiting book installations at Darlington's newest Gallery space, Crown Street Gallery in a group exhibition. 'The Book Borrowers' until January 2013. Projects for 2013 include exhibiting at The Last Chapter in Sheffield, planned for April, exhibiting The Sunderland Book Project at Quorum Business Park Newcastle and Sunderland Library and beginning a scientific research project with Newcastle University and Northern Print.
Current and forthcoming events
- June 2013: BALTIC Artist's Book Fair, BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, Gateshead (more info)
Qualifications and training
- 2012 Arts Award Training (Bronze & Silver), David Stephens Centre, Blyth
- 2012 Mentoring, Blyth, Northumebrland
- 2007 MA Glass, Sunderland University, Sunderland
- 2001 PGCE
- 1998 BA (Hons) Fine Art, Universityof East London, London
Solo exhibitions
- 2011 The Art of The Book, The Gallery, Gateshead, Tyne & Wear
- 2007 Fragile Knowledge, The Literary & Philosophical Society, Newcastle
- 2006 Printmaker of the Month, Wrexham Arts Centre, Wrexham
- 2004 Solo Show, Shire Pottery, Alnwick, Northumberland
Group exhibitions
- 2012 The Book Borrowers, Crown Street Gallery, Darlington
- 2012 Scripta Manent, 36 Lime Street, Ousburn Valley, Newcastle
- 2011 The Sunderland Book Project, Arts Centre Washington, Washington, Tyne & Wear
- 2010 Christmas Selling Show, Shipley Ar Gallery, Gateshead, Tyne & Wear
- 2010 Minutiae, Bank Street rts, Sheffield
- 2010 Shakti & 50 apples, National Glass Centre, Sunderland
- 2010 Natural Forms, Newcastle Arts Centre, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
- 2010 Mini print, Ink spot, Oregon
- 2010 The Sketch Book Project, Art House Co-op, Brooklyn, New York
- 2009 The Power of the Book, Greenfield Community & Arts Centre, Newton Aycliffe
- 2009 Book Arts @ Litfest 2009, Middlesbrough Library, Middlesbrough
- 2009 Artomatic, 55 M street. SE, Washington DC
- 2009 5th International Book Triennial, Vilnius, Lithuania
- 2008 Designed & Made's Christmas Stars, Designed & Made Gallery, Newcastle (more info)
- 2008 Flawed Inspiration (Grayson Perr'ys Unpopular Culture), Durham Light Infantry Museum, Durham
- 2008 Prospect, Designed & Made Gallery, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
- 2007 Kitch-en's Christmas Cupboard, Kitch-en, Middlesbrough
- 2007 Twelve, Designed & Made Gallery, Live Theatre Newcastle
- 2007 Replenish, Saltburn Artists Project, Saltburn-by-the-Sea
- 2007 Publish!, Gallery Glue, Newcastle
- 2007 Lomo, Ki-tchen, Middlesbrough
- 2006 Group Show, Solander, New Zealand
- 2006 Artist's Multiples, Corn Exchange, Leeds
- 2006 Sitting Room, Alsager Gallery, Manchester
- 2006 Printfest 2006, Coronation Hall, Ulverston
- 2006 Thrift shop fish shop, Saltburn Artist's Project, Saltburn, Cleveland
- 2005 Atists on Fish Quay, North Shields, Low Light building
- 2005 The Globe Boot Company, The Globe Gallery, North Shields
- 2005 The Globe Boot Company, The Globe Gallery, North Shields
- 2005 Artist's on the Fish Quay, The Low Light Building, North Shields
- 2004 Transparent, Newcastle Arts Centre, Waygood Gallery, Newcastle
- 2003 Pets make Art, Northern Print Studio, North Shields
- 2003 Printmaking, Adhoc Gallery, Wallsend
- 2003 Print International, Wrexham Arts Centre, Wrexham
- 2003 IN-PRINT, Bookcase, Carlisle
- 2002 Dundee Print Open, Dundee
- 2001 Buddle Arts Centre, Tyne and Wear
- 2000 Letchworth Open, Letchworth
- 1999 Perfect World, Leicester City Art Gallery
- 1999 Intaglio Printmaker, London
- 1999 Letchworth Art Centre, Letchworth
- 1999 Multi Directions, City Airport, East London
Curated projects
- 2012 The Book Apothecary @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle's Literary & Philosophical Society, Tyne & Wear
- 2011 The Sunderland Book Project, Creative Cohesion, Sunderland
- 2010 Bibliotherapy with Lucy May Schofield, Blaydon Library, Gateshead, Tyne & Wear
- 2010 Artist's Book Exhibition & Show and Tell, 25 Stratford Grove, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
- 2010 The Art of The Book, The Lit & Phil, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
- 2009 Identity, The Lit and Phil, Newcastle (more info)
Artist talks
- 2009 Print in Practice, Xsite, Ouseburn Valley, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
- 2009 Printmaking without paper, Vilnius Graphic Arts Centre, Vilnius, Lithuania
- 2009 Printmaking without paper, Lithuanian Artist's Association, Vilnius
- 2009 Manifestations in Printmaking, Saltburn Artist's Project, Saltburn (more info)
Workshops
- 2010 Spring Workshops at 36 Lime Street, 36 Lime Street, Newcastle (more info)
Residencies
- 2008 Artist in Residence, Ibstock Brick Works, Birtley, Gateshead
- 2006 Fragile Knowledge, The Literary & Philosophical Society, Newcastle
Public commissions
- 2011 Enamelled Artwork, Community Centre, Cowgate, Newcastle
- 2009 Festive Windows, Sunderland Library and Gallery, Sunderland
- 2009 Qube, MetroCentre, Gateshead,Tyne & Wear
- 2008 Time Line Project, Walbottle High School, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Projects
- 2012 The Sunderland Book Project, Sunderland Winter Gardens & Museums, Sunderland
- 2011 The Book Apothecary, Durham Literature Festival, Durham
- 2006 Make Your Own Damn Art, MIMA, Middlesbrough
- 2006 Normalife, Neals Yard, Covent Garden, London
- 2005 A5, Peacock Visual Arts, Aberdeen
Competitions, prizes and awards
- 2010 Grants For Artists, Arts Council, England
- 2009 Artist's Access to Art College, Northumbria University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
- 2008 Cannon Bill & Jeanette Hall Fund, Sunderland University, Sunderland
Educational experience - tertiary
- 2007 Visiting Lecturer, Teeside University, Middlesbrough
- 2005 - present Tutor with Northern Print Studio, working with adults, children, community groups, visiting artists and studio members
Site specific
- 2010 Enchanted Parks, Saltwell Park, Gateshead, Tyne & Wear
Other
- 2009 Manchester Artist's Book Fair, Manchester School of Art, Manchester
Web links - gallery/work/projects
