|
Following in a long tradition of art and the body, my interests lie with themes of life, health and illness.
I make highly formal sculptures using materials that are often medical, such as syringes, hypodermic needles, microscopic slides and plastic airline tubing. These materials bring the work into the context of medical intervention and of the hospital as place. They also help to convey feelings of the fragility and vulnerability of the human condition. Using these materials as a starting point in an exploratory way, the work develops organically, acting on natural instincts, and taking inspiration from both personal experience and research. As a result, each piece is autonomous.
There are many research avenues open for today’s artists working within this subject area. I have used medical libraries, art history, literature, media articles and the Internet for my research, as well as drawing from life experiences. Artists of influence include Eva Hesse, Helen Chadwick and Mona Hatoum.
Although I am working with sculpture, my roots stem from a painting background. I am aiming to develop it along side my sculpture practice. I enjoy the physical making of sculpture, and the discovering of new materials, but also miss the pushing around of paint.
I document my installations / sculptures using photography and I have produced a number of photographs zooming in on particular details of the installations / sculptures. As a result they work as strong artworks in their own right.
I have undertaken work in the community such as making installations, sculpture and painting with disabled groups and those with difficulties, as well as working in schools and private tutoring.
Further Education and Qualifications
Birmingham City University, Margaret Street, Birmingham. B3 3BX
B.A. Honours Fine Art
Sept. 2001 – June 2002
Warwickshire School of Art College, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire. CV32 5JE
Diploma of Higher Education, Fine Art
Sept. 1999 – June 2001
Warwickshire School of Art College, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire. CV32 5JE
Access to Fine Art
Sept. 1997 – June 1999
Sept 2006 Bath Place History Project.
Installation in response to memories of The Midland Counties (Home for Incurables)
June 2004 Big Arts Week, Sculptures, mobiles and hand puppets
St Anthony’s Primary School, Sydenham, Leamington Spa
Sept 2003 Artsfest, Birmingham
Do-it Officer, City Centre Gardens
Ensuring smooth running of children’s programme
July 2003 Wire Sculptures
Edgewick Park Primary School, Foleshill, Coventry
June 2003 Big Arts Week, Sculptures, mobiles and masks
Ferncumbe Primary School, Hatton
May 2003/4 Age Concern, Gilbert Richards Centre, Earlsdon, Coventry
Arts worker in pottery workshop
Sept 2002 Artsfest, Birmingham
Assisting artist with ceramics workshop for children of all ages
2003-11 Arts Class for all, especially disabled adults and those with difficulties,
Westbury Centre, Westlea Road, Leamington Spa.
+ Current Exhibitions/Workshops
July 2010 The Edge group exhibition, Coombe Country Park, Coventry
April to June 2010 Coventry Open, Herbert Art Gallery, Coventry
June to Aug 2009 Open 2009, Leamington Spa Art Gallery and Museum, Leamington Spa.
April to June 2009 Open 09, Alfred East Gallery, Kettering.
March 2009 Inspiration, Interpretation, Oxford Town Hall Gallery, Oxford.
May 2008 Commission for Daily Mirror newspaper.
July 2008 Warwickshire Artsweek, Plot on the Edge, Whitnash Allotments, Whitnash.
July 2007 LSA Open Exhibition, Warwickshire School of Art, Leamington Spa.
July 2006 Warwickshire Artsweek, Art Injection, Warwick Hospital, Warwick.
July 2006 Warwickshire Artsweek, You can keep your hat on, Cancer Research Shop, Leamington Spa
July 2006 Warwickshire Artsweek, LSA Selected Exhibition, Warwickshire College, Leamington Spa
Nov 2005 Little Footprints Exhibition, Totnes, Devon
Sept 2005 LSA Selected Exhibition, University of Warwick Library Gallery, Coventry
April 2005 Kidney Research Open Day and Art Exhibition, Biomedical Research Institute, University of Warwick, Coventry
March 2005 BA Graduate/Dip HE Exhibition, On Course, Warwickshire School of Art, Leamington Spa
Jan to Feb 2005 Helen Keller International Award, Commended, Collins Gallery, Glasgow
Jan to Feb 2005 The Art House Exhibition, Whispers, The Workstation, Sheffield
Oct to Nov 2004 Themed Exhibition, Medical Edge, Euroart Gallery, Tottenham, London
May to June 2004 Group Exhibition, Beneath the Surface, CAW Gallery, Leamington Spa
March 2004 International Women’s Week, Mother, West End Centre, Aldershot
Nov 2003 1st Prize, Old Town Photography Competition, Regenesis, Leamington Spa
Aug 2003 2nd Prize, MAD Design UK Competition, The Belgrade Theatre & Shaskeen Carnival Design, Coventry
Feb to April 2003 Themed Exhibition, Spring, Fisherton Mill, Salisbury
Dec 2002 Group Exhibition, Take-off, The Grid, Harborough Magna
Nov 2002 LSA Selected Exhibition, CAW Gallery, Leamington Spa
June 2002 Degree Show, Deduce, UCE, BIAD, Birmingham
June 2002 1st Prize, Sir Whitworth Wallace Trust Marine Painting Exhibition UCE, BIAD, Birmingham
From May 2003 http://www.bbc.co.uk/coventry/culture/profiles/grace-newman-profile.shtml
From July 2002 Artshole.co.uk - Specialising in Student and Independent Artists
10th July 2002 to 10th Jan 2003 MobileCUBE
|
|
