Approved: 16.08.2006

Mary Down

Artist

Approved: 16.08.2006

Concepts My work is cross disciplinary, the means and materials determined by the primary idea.Much of my work has come out of research into a family genealogy, in particular the way women are represented in the text of written histories. History as a form of sorting and collecting carries with it issues of differences and exclusion. The absence, silence and disqualification of women in both historical

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Artist Statement

Concepts My work is cross disciplinary, the means and materials determined by the primary idea.Much of my work has come out of research into a family genealogy, in particular the way women are represented in the text of written histories. History as a form of sorting and collecting carries with it issues of differences and exclusion. The absence, silence and disqualification of women in both historical records and in contemporary situations are gaps and ommissions I explore in my work. Cultural and ethical issues influence and underlie my practice. The work comes out of a critical and analytical view, in particular, of gender, race and politics. At the same time I try to make work that is accessible despite an emphasis on formal qualities and an abstract bias. Alongside my main pracice I also make one-off books which combine minimal text with various print media. Typically each project consists of work in a range of different media focused on specific themes. Influences All those 'F' words; family, friends, faith, feminism. Career path Qualifications: 1993 BA Hons, Fine Art (first), University of Hertfordshire 1982 BSc Hons, Sociology (2:1), Hatfield Polytechnic Areas of work: Primary education Secondary education Curating Exhibiting Practice-based research Collections: University of Hertfordshire, East contemporary art collection.

CV & Education

Solo Exhibitions:

2006 - 'For Lelethu', Phillack Church, Hayle Cornwall

2006 - 'For Lelethu', the Salt Gallery, Hayle Cornwall

2004 - Landscapes of Memory, The Salt Gallery, Hayle, Cornwall

1999 - Pocket Purses and Secret Places, Margaret Harvey Gallery, University of Hertfordshire 1998 - Marking Presence, Letchworth Arts Centre

1996 - The Business Centre Gallery, Luton, Bedfordshire

Group Exhibitions:

2020   The Art of Printmaking. Hertford Theatre Gallery

2019   Printmakers and Print. Fenners Gallery Letchworth

2014 - 2019 Open Studios Digswell Arts Digswell Hertfordshire

2014 'Easterlies'  Abbey Walk Gallery Grimsby

2014 Turn the Page. The Forum, Norwich. 

2013 - 2014 Eastern Approaches. University of Hertfordshire Galleries.

UH Recordings Prize winner.

2013 - East Contemporary Art Collection, UCS Waterfront Gallery,

2011-2014 -Open Studios, Digswell Art Trust, Digswell Hertfordshire

2010 - Artists in Residence@Luton Hoo Walled Garden, Luton Hoo Estate, Bedfordshire LU1 3TQ

2010 - Imaginarium, The New Maynard Gallery, Welwyn Garden City

2010 - Open Studios, Digswell Art Trust, Digswell Hertfordshire

2007 - Herts Open, Margaret HarveyGallery University of Hertfordshire, St Albans

2007 - Id:entity, Westend Arts Centre, Aldershot

2005 - Insiders: art and the box, Canterbury Museum and Art Gallery, Canterbury

2005 - Insiders: art and the box, Inverness Museum & Art Gallery, Inverness

2005 - Insiders: art and the box, Iona Gallery, Kingussie, Scotland

2005 - Insiders: art and the box, St Fergus Gallery, Wick Scotland

2005 - Insiders: art and the box, Swanston Gallery, Thurso

2005 - Insiders: artand the box, Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Aberystwyth

2004 - Artists Open, Margaret Harvey Gallery, St Albans Hertfordshire

2004 - Insiders: art and the box, Quay Arts, Isle of Wight 2004 - Insiders: art and the box, Rugby Museum and Art Gallery, Rugby

2004 - Merging Cultures, Merging Arts, National Gallery of the Cayman Islands

2003 - Insiders Art and the Box, Oriel DaviesGallery, Newtown Powys Wales SY16 2NZ

2001 - Storage and Retrieval, selected works from University of Hertfordshire's permanent collection 2001 - Taking Place, The Place, Letchworth Arts Centre

2000 - OYO, Knebworth Exhibition Centre

1999 - 2000  Ten into One, Boxfield Gallery

1999 - Shadows, Axis, online exhibition

1998 - Artists Open, Margaret Harvey Gallery, University of Hertfordshire

1998 - Artists, St Albans, St Albans Museum

1998 - One Year On, Knebworth Exhibition Centre, Herts

1998 - Parish Maps, Bovingdon

1998 - The Word's the Thing, Stroud House Gallery, Gloscestershire

1997 - 1,000 Words, Horsham Arts Centre

1997 - I Am What I Am, Women's Photographic Network-East, Radlett Centre, Hertfordshire

1996 - Inheritance, Ikon Touring, University of Derby; The Other Place, Stratford; Flaxman Gallery, Staffordshire University

1996 - Martineau Johnson, Birmingham Ikon touring

1996 - New Victoria Theatre, Newcastle under Lyme Ikon touring

1996 - Planning and Environment Deparmtent, County Hall, Hertford

1996 - The Arts Club, London

1996 - The Flaxman Gallery, Staffordshire University

1996 - Wood Green High School, Wednesbury Ikon touring

 Residencies:

2010 - Artist in Residence, Luton Hoo Walled Garden, Luton Bedfordshire Site specific 2010 - Artists in Residence@Luton Hoo Walled Garden, Luton Hoo Walled Garden, Luton Hoo Estate, Luton, Harpenden/Luton

Publications:

2014 'Easterlies'  Grace & Times / Totem & Taboo  /  Place & Time.  ECA: A Collection for 21st Century Practice

2004 Insiders Art and the Box

1999 - 'Pockets Purses and Secret Places' Neeta Zin Hughes

1995 - Art Review 'Degrees of Importance' 

1994 - The Independent ' the taste of things to come?'

Collections:

University of Hertfordshire

East Contemporary Art Collection, UCS