Teresa Wells creates emotive figurative sculptures in bronze, that celebrate man’s physical and emotional survival over adversity. Inspired by the question “How do Humans Behave”, she draws inspiration from the contours of athletes and ballet dancers to emphasise a physical strength, placing them in precarious poses to stress fragility.
Teresa Wells creates emotive figurative sculptures in bronze, that celebrate man’s physical and emotional survival over adversity. Inspired by the question “How do Humans Behave”, she draws inspiration from the contours of athletes and ballet dancers to emphasise a physical strength, placing them in precarious poses to stress fragility.
She employs an illustrative style that pertains to theatrical gesturing, with particular attention made in re creating detail in the face, hands and feet. This creates a powerful and spiritual force, creating reflection on one’s own psyche. When combined with geometric architectural supports, in steel and stone, she shows a contemporary approach to bronze, lifting it off the the plinth and making it appear less monumental and traditional.
Previous themes have included survival, endurance, frailty, miscommunication, and morality.
Graduating from Loughborough University with a MA in Fine Art and Design, in 2007, she was awarded a grant enabling her to produce her first solo show and establish a studio at Harborough Magna in the Midlands.
A skilled maker, she understands the bronze casting process first hand, after taking up an eight month residency in Shropshire, culminating in her producing the highly successful “I Spirit”, recently installed opposite Tate Britain.
A capable project manager, she is experienced in collaborating with mechanical and structural engineers, to safely install both private and public works of art, more recently at The Rootstein Hopkins Parade Ground, Chelsea School of Arts. She has a successful track record working with interior designers in the Midlands and Shropshire, to commission and brief.
Previous collections, which include her figurative tableaux installations, have featured in numerous group exhibitions both nationally and internationally. Receiving critical acclaim in several publications and on line art platforms, she has also received numerous awards, and is a member of The Royal Society of Sculptors.
In addition she has curated six solo shows of her work, has work in the permanent collection of Robert T Webb Sculpture Garden in Georgia USA and has clients including the BBC, Netflix, BLOCC Interiors (formerly Connections in Design Ltd), Inside Right Ltd and AK Designs, Shropshire and various private clients.
Qualifications and training 2006 - MA Art and Design, Research into Identity and Location, Loughborough University, Leicestershire 1996 - BA Fine Art (Hons), Research into Body Art, Identity and Vessels, Nottingham Trent University, Nottinghamshire.
Solo exhibitions: 2015 - Did you Get the Message? - The Henderson Gallery, Nottingham,
2014 - Did you Get the Message? The Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton on Trent
2010 - Rational Voices, Irrational Deeds: Teresa Wells, The Silk Mill, Derby Art Gallery and Museum, Derby, East Midlands.
2009 - Body and Soul - Fragility in Adversity, Chichele College, Higham Ferrers , Northamptonshire
2009 - Rational Voices in an Irrational World, Floor One Gallery, Rugby Art Gallery and Museum, Warwickshire.
Group exhibitions: 2016 Leyden Galley, Shoreditch, London - Emerging Contempories.
2016 - Art Rooms 2016, The Melia White Rooms Hotel, Regents Park,London.
2015 - Shortlisted entry for Spotlight 2015, Andipa Gallery, Knightsbridge, and The Royal Society of Sculptors.
2015 - FPS Open 2015 - The Menier Gallery, London.
2015 - TIAF - The Rag Factory, Brick Lane, London
2015 - APT 2015 PRIZE WINNER nominated by Richard Deacon CBE, Creekside, London.
2015 - Leicester Open, Newark House Museum and Art Gallery.
2014 - Sculpture at Doddington Hall and Gardens, Lincolnshire.
2013 - 'Memories' Rugby Art Gallery and Museum, Rugby
2012 - Rugby Open - Rugby Art gallery and Museum
2012 - Parallax AF 2012, 82 Mercer, Soho, New York, New York, USA.
2011 - ParallaxAF, La Galleria, Pall Mall, London.
2010 - Warwickshire Arts Week, The Grid Studio's, Harborough Magna, Nr Rugby, Warwickshire.
2010 - Woburn Artbeat, The Inn at Woburn and Bedford Street Gallery, Woburn, Bedfordshire.
2009 - Open Studios - The Grid 20/09, The Grid, Artist Studios, Harborough Magna, Warwickshire
2009 - Open Studios Northamtonshire, Canons Ashby House and Church, Canons Ashby, Northamptonshire
2009 - Sculpture at The Sanctuary, Reg Taylors - Swan Sanctuary, Southwell, Lincolnshire.
2008 - Derby City Open, Silk Mill, Derbyshire
2008 - J Gallery Open Exhibition, J Gallery, Northampton, Moulton Northamptonshire.
2008 - Leicester City Open, Leicester City Art Gallery, Leicester .
2008 - NHS Open, Leicester City Gallery, Oadby, Rutland, Four in Leicestershire and Rutland.
2008 - Open Studios, Barton Hall Studios, Barton Seagrave, Kettering
2008 - RASG Open, Rugby City Art Gallery, Rugby, Warwickshire
2008 - RBSA Members Exhibition, Royal Birmingham Society of Artists, Birmingham.
2007 - Open Studios, Barton Hall Studios, Barton Seagrave, Kettering
2007 - RASG Open, Rugby City Art Gallery, Rugby, Warwickshire
2007 - RBSA Open, Royal Birmingham Society of Artists, Birmingham, West Midlands.
2006 - MA Art and Design Group Exhibition, Loughborough University School of Art and Design. 2006 - Leicester City Open, Leicester City Gallery, Leicester
1996 - BA Fine Art - Final Degree Show, Nottingham Trent University, Nottinghamshire
1995 - The Midlands Universities Fine Art Programs, Custard Factory, Birmingham Degree shows .