Artist statement
Concepts
I am interested in the physicality and application of materials, layering and the manipulation of the painted surface. The cross over between disciplines, particularly print making and painting are a current concern and the notion of absence and nostalgia underpin many of my recent pieces.
The introduction of the figure, after a prolonged period of abstract work has enabled me to access a wide range of photographic material relating to the history of the British seaside, its heyday and decline. This is an on-going area of research with both found and sourced imagery, often of unknown people, having a significant influence on current work.
The captured moment, the pursuit of leisure by the working classes, the promenade and beach activities offer a rich source of imagery; however I do not aim to produce sentimental work, rather to create a tension or melancholy through the use of colour and surface treatment.
Past work has explored relationships between the virtual and the physical, the conversion of image to text, dissolving forms and the creation of imagery through a build-up and reduction process in paint and print mediums. These issues along side the use of the painterly gesture continue to be of influence.
Influences
Contemporary Painting, Print Making and sculpture, digital media, photography, applied arts.
Career path
Following the completion of BA (Hons) in Fine Art I worked as a community artist and on a range of commissioned works. I then qualified as teacher of art and design (PGCE). Throughout this time I actively contributed to the early development of art and digital media in schools and exhibited in several digital projects. I have since completed an MA in fine art, which placed a strong emphasis on philosophical aesthetics and another MA in Art and Design Histories examining the use of the digital in Fine Art/painting. I am currently involved in residencies and workshops and continue to work with/teach students of all ages and abilities. I am a member of an independent studio group based in Birmingham, a council member for the RBSA and throughout my career I have been awarded a number of arts grants to develop my own practice and curate exhibitions. I continue to exhibit on a regular basis and work has been purchased for private collections and commercial enterprises.
Qualifications and training
- 2004 MA Art and Design Histories, University of Central England, Birmingham
- 1998 MA Fine Art, University of Central England, Birmingham
- 1993 PGCE Art and Design, University of Central England, Birmingham, West Midlands
- 1990 BA(Hons) Fine Art, Stourbridge College/Wolverhampton Polytechnic, West Midlands
Solo exhibitions
- 2003 Dedicated Show, Park View Gallery, Birmingham
- 1992 Solo show, Goate Gallery, Birmingham
- 1991 Printwork and Drawings, Wednesbury Art Gallery, Sandwell
Group exhibitions
- 2013 Coventry Drawing Prize, Rugby School, Rugby
- 2013 Tutors Show, RBSA, Birmingham
- 2012 160th Autumn Exhibition, The Royal West of England Academy, Bristol
- 2012 Public View, The Public, West Bromwich
- 2012 Allotment, Midlands Arts Centre, West Midlands
- 2012 Young Curators, RBSA, Birmingham
- 2012 Tutors Show, RBSA, Birmingham
- 2011 159th Autumn Exhibition, Royal West of England Academy, Bristol
- 2011 AA2A, A Celebration of 10 Years Collaboration, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton (more info)
- 2010 Open Autumn Exhibition, RBSA, Birmingham
- 2010 West Midlands Open 2010, Gas Hall, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Birmingham
- 2010 stART, RBSA, Birmingham
- 2009 Selected Artists, Park View Gallery, Birmingham
- 2008 stART, RBSA, Birmingham
- 2008 Open All Media, RBSA, Birmingham
- 2008 Prize Exhibition, RBSA, Birmingham
- 2008 Candidates Exhibition, RBSA, Birmingham
- 2007 155 Autumn Exhibition, Royal West of England Academy, Bristol
- 2007 untitled, The Haywood Gallery, West Midlands
- 2005 Birmingham Artists Open Studios, Lee Bank Business Centre, Birmingham
- 2004 Summer Show, Park View gallery, Birmingham
- 2001 Green City, Park View Gallery/Stirling Ackroyd, Birmingham
- 2000 Digital Expressions, Welsh Touring Exhibition
- 1999 Moot, University of Central England, Birmingham
- 1998 Anything, Custard Factory, Birmingham
- 1997 Open Studios, Old Union Mill, Birmingham
- 1996 System Error, School of Art And Design, University of Central England, Birmingham
- 1995 1002 Situations, Castle Tollet, Austria
- 1995 Live Wire, Derby Photography Festival, University of Derby and national touring event, Derby
- 1995 Mid Art, Himley Hall, Dudley
- 1994 2nd City Art Show, Burlington Arcade, Birmingham
- 1993 Mid Art, Dudley Art Gallery
- 1992 Coventry Open, Herbert Art Gallery
- 1992 Uner One Roof, Midlands Art Centre
- 1992 We Will Be Seen, Bilston Art Gallery, Wolverhampton
- 1991 Freedom in Imagination, Lanchester Gallery, Coventry
- 1989 Women's Art Practice, Stourbridge College
Artist talks
- 2012 Print, A Painters Perspective, University of Wolverhampton, West Midlands
Workshops
- 2012 Mono printing, collagraph and solvent transfer, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton
- 2012 Clay Sculpture- intensive artist led workshop, Shireland Collegiate Academy, Smethwick
- 2011 A Portrait A Day, Shireland Collegiate Academy, Sandwell
- 2011 Voice Projection, teaching outside the school environment, RBSA, Birmingham
- 2011 Dynamic Drawing, RBSA, Birmingham (more info)
- 2010 Tree of Life, RBSA/ Kings Heath Primary, Birmingham
- 2010 Life in The Shadow of a Volcano, Compton Verney, Coventry (more info)
- 2010 RBSA/Arts Council workshops, RBSA, Birmingham
- 2010 Collage Creations, RBSA, Birmingham (more info)
- 2010 A Response To Sandra Blow, RBSA, Birmingham
- 2010 The Language of Abstraction, RBSA, Birmingham (more info)
- 2009 Collage, Drawing and Composition, RBSA, Birmingham (more info)
Residencies
- 2012 AA2A, Coventry University, Coventry
- 2011 Artist in residence, University of Wolverhampton, West Midlands
- 2009 AA2A, Artists Access to Art Colleges, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, West Midlands
Publications
Web links - gallery/work/projects
Web links - article/press
Personal website
