Monday 24 October 2011

About the artists No.2 - Donna Thacker


DONNA THACKER

I graduated from Northampton University in 2010 with a degree in Fine Art. This course gave me the opportunity to develop skills in disciplines such as Printmaking, Photography, Sculpture and Painting. Prior to this, I spent four years studying Art and Design at Rugby College by completing two separate courses. During my time there, I was given the time and opportunity to experiment with different Medias and apply them in new ways.

As for my current practice, I am interested in both figurative compositions and the notion of ‘non-places’ and ‘non-spaces’. With these inspirations in mind, I concentrate my work around photography as a starting point, and develop my ideas through either abstraction or representation, both expressing my work through paint.

There are many artists who inspire my practice, but I feel I turn to the works created by Hughie O’Donoghue and Gerhard Richer the most. I will often refer to the works of these artists when I am constructing a painting, to gain knowledge on either depth of colour or information on compositions.

The colours of paint and the technique with which it is applied, are vitally important to my work therefore, if I want to handle a piece with more sensitivity, I use paintbrushes and turps, but if I feel it needs to be a little edgier, I will use a palette knife and spectragel to thicken my paint further and allow me to apply it more energetically. To be considered close to completion, I must be confident that the work is both communicative and atmospheric, although, with each and every work I have done to date, I always feel that there is ‘something else’ that could be done to it. This gives me comfort that I am still developing my skills and I still have more to learn about my abilities and, in turn, more to give to my work.

I am currently a member in two different artists groups, which is makes me increasingly focused on my own practice. I am also responsible for my own family, whilst working full-time at a local school. I love my busy lifestyle, and in turn I gain strength and have the opportunities to motivate myself and others whilst staying grounded, but continually inspired.

About the artists - No.1 - Coreen Harris


Here is an artists statement from one of our artists Coreen about her inspiration, working practice and methods


COREEN HARRIS

I am a combined artist, freelance writer and poet, who uses mixed media, abstract painting, mini installations and manipulated digital photography within my fine art practice. I enjoy working at full speed and am happiest when producing various creative writing projects, painting on canvas and working on my mini installations simultaneously.  My work takes centre stage, as if it were a canvas from Jackson Pollock’s studio.

My mini installations were recently shown at a London exhibition and were included in my graduate show at University. As a story teller I use the paradox as my key to conjure up ordinary characters, creating dramatic assemblages using found objects, exploring these characterizations and fragments of the identity which are revealed to the audience. These artworks are a cross between Cornell-like drawers and Mark Dion’s fabulous curiosity cabinets.



Working on various abstract paintings I am driven and inspired by the work of Jean Dubuffet and Cy Twombly who both used a sophisticated and very complex method of theory through painting, to translate their hypotheses into mark making. Within my own abstract painting practice I hope to discover some of these methods, using the narrative to produce biomorphic images interacting with the viewer to evoke emotion.

Thursday 20 October 2011

Want to know a bit more about us? Take a look at our press release



Press Release
Contemporary Art Group Launch in Rugby

A group of artists who graduated from University of Northampton, have just launched a new Midlands based art group and they will be having their first exhibition this November in Rugby.

Edge Arts Collective is an exciting new project to showcase cutting-edge art nationally.

The Edge members include Emma Carpendale, Ann Crearie, Leanne Gilroy, Coreen Harris, Donna Thacker, Kate Thomas, Jill Wales and Hazel Walker.  Some of the artists live locally in Rugby while the others live within a 30 mile radius of the town.

They all share a passion for art and their debut art exhibition has already been organised.  It will run from Thursday 10th November until Saturday 3rd December 2011, opening times 4pm until late, in the newly refurbished art gallery above Verve Bar, 35 North Street, Rugby CV21 2AL. 

Expect to see a wide variety of contemporary art from the members of Edge Arts Collective, including paintings, illustrations, fine art, sculpture, photography and installations.  The exhibition is FREE to the public and many of the pieces will be available for sale.

Monday 17 October 2011

Hello and welcome

Hi there and welcome to the Edge Arts Collective blog.

Edge Arts is made up of eight artists and illustrators. We all graduated from The University of Northampton in 2010 and our disciplines range from photography to printmaking to illustration and painting.

We are holding our first exhibition at Verve Gallery and Bar, Rugby from the 10th November - 3rd December and you are all welcome. More details on the exhibition as well as details of each group member will be posted shortly.