Approved: 16.08.2006

Simon Ripley

Maker, Project manager, Teacher

Approved: 16.08.2006

I make relief monoprints on handmade Japanese papers. Each each print is unique. I rarely make editions. I have a painterly approach to print - the colour is layered on the paper by means of lino or wood  - printing wet ink on wet. This gives the work its distinctly marked surface quality. The type and quality of the paper is an essential ingredient and greatly effects the end result. I always start physically, by cutting into the lino block. A range of colours are overprinted one at a time to build up texture and merged colours. I hand burnish the reverse of the paper to lay down the colour. I also use a large 1850's Columbian relief press never removing the piece from the press until it is finished - I make the whole print in one go. Usually I cut and work into the the block between each new colour. My work engages with ideas and experiences of memory. I am interested in an edge of abstraction where images evoke ideas and memories in an audience - so that my work begins to exist for people as they begin to find connections with the work - they begin to 'recognise' suggested passages within the prints. Through printmaking I can deliberately create a distance between the marks I make and the end results of the work - the process means that I never really know how the image will turn out until finally printed. My work particularly comes from an outreach practice with Double Elephant Print Workshop. Over the past 15 years I have worked in a range of community settings - hospitals, schools, prisons, village halls, parks and festivals. Delivering participatory printmaking workshops to a huge range of people.

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    Artist Statement

    I make relief monoprints on handmade Japanese papers. Each each print is unique. I rarely make editions. I have a painterly approach to print - the colour is layered on the paper by means of lino or wood  - printing wet ink on wet. This gives the work its distinctly marked surface quality. The type and quality of the paper is an essential ingredient and greatly effects the end result. I always start physically, by cutting into the lino block. A range of colours are overprinted one at a time to build up texture and merged colours. I hand burnish the reverse of the paper to lay down the colour. I also use a large 1850's Columbian relief press never removing the piece from the press until it is finished - I make the whole print in one go. Usually I cut and work into the the block between each new colour. My work engages with ideas and experiences of memory. I am interested in an edge of abstraction where images evoke ideas and memories in an audience - so that my work begins to exist for people as they begin to find connections with the work - they begin to 'recognise' suggested passages within the prints. Through printmaking I can deliberately create a distance between the marks I make and the end results of the work - the process means that I never really know how the image will turn out until finally printed. My work particularly comes from an outreach practice with Double Elephant Print Workshop. Over the past 15 years I have worked in a range of community settings - hospitals, schools, prisons, village halls, parks and festivals. Delivering participatory printmaking workshops to a huge range of people.

    Find more information on my website blog.

    Collections Victoria & Albert Museum Bank of England Deutsche Morgan Grenfell Exeter University Somerset County Council South Devon Healthcare Trust Nottingham City Hospital Starbucks Direct Action Centre for Peace and Memory, Cape Town, South Africa

    CV & Education


    Web site: www.simonripley.co.uk      www.doubleelephant.org.uk

    Education :
    Foundation in Arts Therapy. ‘Art in Mental Health’ 2004
    NVQ Level 3 Business start-up 2003
    NVQ Level 3 Further and Adult Education 1997
    BA Hons 2i.  Fine Art  : University of Plymouth. (Dissertation entitled "Art & Healing" 1995
    Winner of Plymouth University Bridget McCrum Prize 1995.)
    East London Polytechnic. Diploma in Combined Arts 1992
    Islington College of Further Education. London. Art & Design Access. 1991
    Diploma in International Law : London University 1986
    LLB Hons 2ii : University of Sheffield 1984

    Employment :
    Founder and Director : Double Elephant Print Workshop 1996 to date

    Torbay Public Health Suicide Prevention Project Feb -  “Just Ask” Sept 2016
    Residency at Flatbed Press and Mobile Art, Austin Texas. May / June 2015
    Project Leader : ‘Redefining Print’  2014/ 15. A two year Arts Council funded project to explore new approaches to printmaking leading to exhibitions and a Symposium in November 2015
    Project Leader : Conversation Station : a MIND  'Time for Change' project 2014/5
    Artist in Residence Musgrove Park Hospital Taunton. January to May 2014
    Artist in Residence Franklyn Hospital Alzheimer’s Unit, Exeter. January to October  2012
    Artist in Residence Growing Hearts & Minds Project. B Arts Stoke on Trent. From February 2011
    Artist in Residence Wonford House Hospital acute psychiatric inpatient Unit. November 2010
    Associate Artist Plymouth Hospital Derriford. July 2010 to January 2012
    Artist Led Initiatives Advisory Service - advisor.  An Arts Council England project. 2005 - 08
    Project Co-ordinator. Arts in education projects : ‘DepARTure’ - Dorset County Council 2001 - 02
    Lecturer part time : University Plymouth and Exeter College 1995 - 97
    Legal Advisor. United Nations High Commission for Refugees. Hong Kong 1989 - 90
    Caseworker : UK Immigrants Advisory Service Refugee Unit and Joint Council for Welfare of Immigrants. 1987 - 1991   
    Research Assistant : Runnymede Trust and University of London  1986 - 1988    
    Office Assistant : UN Gedaref Field Office and Project Trust Representative. Sudan 1984 - 85
    Teaching Assistant : Hantoub Secondary School. Wad Medani. Sudan. 1980 - 81

    Selected workshops and residencies :

    Barnstaple hospital secure mental health unit printmaking input with Wolf & Water. Spring 2018
    DAISI art and wellbeing research project. King’s School Ottery November 2016
    Atkinson Unit secure children’s home workshops 2015                                                                HMP Dartmoor / Devon Guild “Freehand”  12 week residency July and November 2014
    Print on Prescription scheme. Double Elephant 2009 - 14
    CEDA disabled children’s banner making workshops June 2012
    St Petrock’s Exeter homeless project. March 2011
    Print workshop with families of Deaf children  March 2010
    Grenville Pupil Referral Unit February 2010
    DAISI residency at All Saints Cof E Primary School, Torquay, Devon Jan. 2010
    Regional Development Agency Dec. 2009
    Bideford College Year 11 Nov. 2009
    Centre for Contemporary Art & the Natural World. Art in the Park September 2009
    Headway Brain Injury Association Series of workshops at Double Elephant 2008
    Early Years ‘’Reggio Emilia’ Residency at Ilfracombe Infant & Nursery School Winter 2008
    HMP Shepton Mallet prison art workshops Summer 2007
    pARTicipate ACESW - ‘Lifeworks’ mental health service users print workshops 2006 to 2009
    Residency printmaking with elderly people.  ‘Upstream’ www.upstream-uk.com. Spring 2006
    HM Prison Guys Marsh Artist in Residence Spring 2002
    Heavitree Maternity Hospital Exeter 2002

    Selected Exhibitions :
    2004     Casa Mia Modern Life and Art, Tokyo & Osaka, Japan.
    2005     Artonomy Fine Art, Truro, Cornwall.
    2006     McHardy Coombs Gallery, London. /  Jennifer Gerard Gallery, Abingdon. / Winter Collection, Arflex, Tokyo & Osaka, Japan.
    2007    Devon Guild of Craftsmen, Bovey Tracey, Devon. /  AAF with Francis Burrows Gallery, Battersea, London. / Brook Gallery, Budleigh Salterton, Devon.
    2008      istorm,  Exeter. / de gallerie, The Haig    www.dekunstuitleendenhaag.nl . /  AAF Amsterdam with Stark Gallery. /  ‘Rich Resources’ The Brewhouse Gallery, Taunton.
    2009    Stark Gallery, Canterbury.  / LS1 Leeds. / Impress ’09 Stroud. /  IMPACT  showcase UWE Bristol. / Purple Gallery Birmingham.
    2011 Red Earth Gallery, Tiverton / Derriford Hospital, Plymouth
    2012 Art Cheshire with The Brook Gallery / Greenhill Gallery / Devon Open Studios
    2013 Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital / Redearth Gallery / Quartz Festival / Exeter Phoenix /Greenhill Gallery Moretonhampstead.
    2014 Ariel Gallery, Totnes. Musgrove Gallery, Taunton.


    Collections : The Bank of England, South Devon Healthcare Trust, Nottingham City Hospital, Deutsche Morgan Grenfell, Exeter University, Starbucks, Somerset County Council, Twickenham Rugby Football Union, The Victoria & Albert Museum, Direct Action Centre for Peace and Memory, Cape Town, South Africa and in private collections in the UK, USA and Japan.

    Member Exeter Chamber of Commerce 2014 -
    Member Devon Guild of Craftsmen 2009 - 2012
    Member West of England Academy 2009 - 2011
    Board Member Villages in Action 2008 - 2010
    Board Member Spacex Gallery 1997 - 1999