Artist statement
Concepts
Through painting, drawing, collage and cardboard constructions my current work develops an ongoing interest in visual perception where foregrounds and backgrounds hold an ambiguous relationship to create certain levels of flatness. I question what is negative space when it is given priority? Does it still remain negative when it is the subject? By simplifying depictions of my surrounding environment into shapes, flat fields of colour and areas of mark making, an image is pushed towards the unrecognizable. Limited information is used to communicate scenes which are both simple and complicated bordering between representation and abstraction. Materials, shape and colour are pared down to a minimum.The materials determine the approach and outcome; the materials choose the work and guide the decisions in terms of scale, colour and presentation.
Processes and techniques
My subject matter is sourced from found images and objects chosen for shape and from my surrounding environment through observational drawing and photography. Spaces and objects become ambiguous inviting the viewer to reassess familiar surroundings. The availability of this resource, whether arranged or found compositions of shapes, colour and negative space, is one that I celebrate.
Influences
Tal. R, Richard Tuttle, Josef Albers, Ellsworth Kelly
Career path
2011-2012 Professional studio practice, Bow Arts Trust,SE1 Studios,Bermonsey
2011 Weymouth Hoardings Commission & Workshops,Public Art Commission,Dorset County Council
2008-2011 Professional studio practice, Wimbledon Art Studios
2008-2010 Workshop Leader, Gloucestershire Archives
2006- 2007 Artist in Residence, Marlborough College
2005- 2006 Associate Lecturer, Bedford College
2004- 2006 Professional studio practice - London
2002-2004 MFA Fine Art - Slade School of Fine Art
2000-2002 Professional studio practice - Stroud Valleys Artspace
1997-2000 BA (Hons) Fine Art, University of Wales Institute, Cardiff
Solo exhibitions
- 2012 Recent Work, Construction Gallery, Tooting, London
- 2007 Recent drawings and paintings, Mount House Gallery, Marlborough
- 2002 Mills Café, Stroud, Gloucestershire
Group exhibitions
- 2013 Creekside Open, A.P.T Gallery, Deptford, London
- 2012 The Searchers Contemporary 'Objects of Desire', Centrespace, Bristol
- 2012 Bow Arts Open 2012, Bermondsey Project Space, London
- 2012 March Group Exhibition, Hada Contemporary, London
- 2011 Winter Open, One Church Street Gallery, Great Missenden, Bucks
- 2011 Salon Art Prize, Matt Roberts Arts, London
- 2007 Salon 07, Seven Seven Contemporary Art, London
- 2007 Martin Kippenburger with Fries and a Shake, plan 9, spike island, bristol
- 2007 Jerwood contemporary painters, Jerwood space, London, Bayart, Cardiff, The Lowry, Salford
- 2005 Creekside Open, APT Gallery, London
- 2005 2D Open, Surface Gallery, Nottingham
- 2005 Sefton Open, Atkinson Art Gallery, Southport
- 2005 Homelife, Stroud House Gallery, Stroud, Gloucestershire
- 2004 Discerning Eye Exhibition, Mall Galleries, London
- 2004 MFA Summer Show, Slade School of Fine Art, London
- 2003 Unwrapped, Britart Gallery, London
- 2002 Eyepoppers, Gloucester City Museum and Art Gallery
- 2001 Stroud Valleys Artists, Regional Development Agency, Exter
- 2001 Eyepoppers, Guild Hall, Glouscester
- 2000 Phusion, Gasworks Gallery, London
Workshops
- 2013 Creative Workshops Volunteer, Macmillan Cancer Support, London
- 2012 Sticker Collages Workshop, Construction Gallery, Tooting
- 2010 Workshop Leader, Gloucestershire Archives, Gloucester
- 2008 Workshop Leader, Museum in the Park, Stroud
Residencies
- 2012 Project Space Artist in Residence, Construction Gallery, Tooting, London
- 2006 Arist In Residence, Marlborough College, Whiltshire
Public commissions
- 2010 Weymouth Hoardings Project, Radipole Lake, Dorset County Council, Weymouth, Dorset
Projects
- 2010 Artschool uk, Cell Project Space, London
Competitions, prizes and awards
- 2011 Open Painting Competition, Motorcade/FlashParade, BV Studios, Bristol
- 2007 Celeste Art Prize 2007- shortlist, Old Truman Brewery, London (more info)
- 2006 Celeste art prize- shortlisted, shortlisted and work published in catalogue, London
- 2005 Creekside Open, APT Gallery, London
- 2004 Project Award, Slade School of Fine Art, UCL
- 2003 AHRB Award, Arts and Humanities Research Board, Slade School of Fine Art
- 2002 Kicking off fund, Southwest Arts Council, Stroud, Gloucestershire
Educational experience - tertiary
- 2007 Tutor/Course Leader, Marlborough College Summer School, Marlborough, Wilts (more info)
- 2005 Associate Lecturer, Bedford College, Bedford (more info)
Personal website
