Lesley Halliwell's practice explores the surface of the pictorial plane, specifically at the interplay between the outward-facing and the inward supporting components of the picture plane. Recently she has looked to other cultural traditions and techniques to aid her understanding of different pattern generating systems. Ranging from Southern Indian kolams, Islamic geometry, Celtic design, manuscript illumination and even the 1970s children's toy, the Spirograph, Halliwell finds underlying similarities and cross-overs.
Lesley Halliwell's practice explores the surface of the pictorial plane, specifically at the interplay between the outward-facing and the inward supporting components of the picture plane. Recently she has looked to other cultural traditions and techniques to aid her understanding of different pattern generating systems. Ranging from Southern Indian kolams, Islamic geometry, Celtic design, manuscript illumination and even the 1970s children's toy, the Spirograph, Halliwell finds underlying similarities and cross-overs.
Halliwell's paintings and drawings return to the simple and universal constructions based on the circle and the square but with fine line and delicate nuance of surface - these are works that reward close viewing. Patterning, which unifies the surface, is confounded by the reflective qualities of either heavily worked graphite pencil or delicate metal leaf. Here the viewer is drawn into the work as different viewpoints and lighting conditions alter what can be seen.
Halliwell is currently undertaking a practice-based PhD (NWCDTP Award holder 2014-2020) at Manchester School of Art, Manchester Metropolitan University. She has an MA in Art History, Goldsmith's College, University of London, an MA in Fine Art from Manchester Metropolitan University, BA(Hons) from Nottingham Trent & Dip(HE) from Dartington College of Arts.
Qualifications and training
2014-2010 AHRC Practice based PhD (NWCDTP award holder), Manchester School of Art, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester
1999 - 2001 - MA Fine Art, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester
1993 - 1995 - MA History of Art, Goldsmith's College, University of London
1987 - 1989 - BA (Hons) Fine Art, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham
1985 - 1987 - Dip (HE) Art & Design in a Social Context, Dartington College of Arts
Solo Exhibitions
2010 All the Small Things, Grosvenor Museum & Art Gallery, Chester
2008 Hypotrochoids, Hive Gallery, Barnsley
2008 Reach, The Chapman Gallery, Salford
2008 Time and Time Again, Touchstones, Rochdale
2007 Going Straight, The Otter Gallery, Chichester
2006 Tutti Fruitti, BLOCspace, Sheffield
2003 Turning Circle, Taxi Gallery, Cambridge
Exhibitions
2018
Sidney Nolan Trust, Artists Camps (upcoming): Research and practice arts residency
Tilted Plane,Alexandria Library, Manchester (with Zellij Arts)
BBC1, The One Show, History of the Spirograph, Marty Jopson, Lesley Halliwell & Greevz Fisher.
2017
Sidney Nolan Trust, Artists Camps, Research and practice arts residency and exhibition
(Re)configure,Manchester School of Art(solo exhibition)
Bankley Open 2017,Manchester
Toil, Trade and Titans,Touchstones, RochdaleArt Gallery, Greater Manchester(drawings from permanent collection)
Suite Studios group exhibition, The Horsfall, Great Ancoats, Manchester
2016
Tracing Paper 2016:Paper Gallery, Manchester
Compression Culture:Vertical Gallery, Manchester School of Art
PAPER Transformed, Arc Centre and Gallery, Stockport
West Lancashire Open Exhibition,Chapel Gallery, Ormskirk
2015
Compression Culture, Benzie Building, Manchester School of Art.
Carbon meets Silicon, Expo event, Oriel Sycharth Gallery, Wales.
Wanderlust; To Pernik With Love, Water Tower Arts Festival, Bulgaria.
[detail], The Usher Gallery, Lincoln.
Manifest, Manchester International Festival, Suite Open Studios.
SLIPPAGE: The Unstable Nature of Difference, Contemporary Art Space Chester (CASC).
2014
(detail), H-Project Space, Bangkok and Transition Gallery, London.
Beauty is the First Test, The National Craft Gallery, Kilkenny, Ireland & Platform Gallery, Clitheroe.
The Drawing Show, Castlefield Gallery, Manchester.
2013
Beauty is the First Test (touring show), The Pumphouse Gallery, London; R-Space, Linen Rooms, Northern Ireland; NCCD, Sleaford; Bliston Craft Gallery, Wolverhampton.
The Infinity Show, NN , Northampton.
Above and Below, Yarangall Farm, Cheshire.
2012
Fixation, Wolstenholme Creative Space, Liverpool.
Into the Woods, Alvanley Cliff Woods, Cheshire.
2011
Cornerhouse Projects, Suite Studios, Manchester.
2010
4 Degrees, Cube Gallery, Manchester.
Above The Serious, Stoke Newington Library, London.
At Play 2, South Hill Park, Berkshire.
AXIS curated show, Arts Council England, London.
Lines of Desire, Oriel Davies Gallery, Newtown, Wales.
Making Marks, Touchstones Gallery, Rochdale.
The Affordable Art Fair, Alicia David Contemporary Art, London, Brussels & New York.
The Conversation, Newton Church, Chester.
The Drawing Shed, Project Space Leeds, (PSL).
The Jerwood Drawing Prize, Jerwood Space, London (& touring).
Wish You Were Here; An Exploration into Drawing & Journeys, Bath Spa University Gallery, Weston-super-Mare.
2009
A42D, Bloc Space, Sheffield.
Encounter, Novas , Liverpool.
FRINGEMK, Catalogue Finalist, Milton Keynes.
Grosvenor Open (Prizewinner), Grosvenor Museum , Chester.
Pattern Recognition, The City Gallery, Leicester.
Sale, The Royal Standard, Liverpool.
Superabundant - Pattern in Contemporary Art, Turner Contemporary, Margate.
Wrexham Open (Prizewinner; Best Professional), Oriel Wrecsam, Wales.
2008
Present, Hive Gallery, Barnsley.
The Baltic Frame, Arena Gallery, Liverpool Biennial.
2007
Repeat Repeat: Negotiated Positions, University College Chester, Chester.
2006
Multiples, LOT, Bristol.
Wall to Wall, VINEspace, Vyner Street, London.
2004
Pizza Express Prospects, Tea Building, London.
Remote Control, Angel Row Gallery, Nottingham.
We Go Round and Round in the Night and are Consumed by Fire, Terminal Warehouse, New York and Liverpool Biennial.
2003
Thermo 03, The Lowery, Salford.
2002
Mostyn 12, Oriel Mostyn Gallery, Llandudno.
Bloombergs New Contemporaries, The Barbican, London & Static, Liverpool.
2001
All Colours Will Agree in the Dark, Cornerhouse, Manchester.
Competitions, prizes and awards
2015 NWCDTP Student Development Fund, Istanbul Design Centre and Princes School of Traditional Arts, London: research study trips
2014 North West Consortium Doctoral Training Partnership (NWCDTP) PhD Studentship
2014 ACE Funding, Small Grants to the Arts, Curation of Slippage: The Unstable Nature of Difference, Contemporary Art Space Chester
2010 The Jerwood Drawing Prize (finalist), The Jerwood Space, London
2004 Michael Gourley Award, MAFA Open, Manchester
2004 Pizza Express Prospects, (Finalist), Tea Building, London
2003 Beck's Futures, (nominated), ICA, London
2002 Bloombergs New Contemporaries, The Barbican, London &, Static, Liverpool
