Angie de Courcy Bower
angiedecb@talktalk.net
axisweb
 

Artist statement

Whilst a Fine Art student at Brighton University (BA Hons) and later, Leeds Metropolitan University (MA), my practice developed through abstraction, minimalism, conceptual art and sculpture before returning to figurative painting.

Fascinated by the complexities of the human condition, I strive to give form to my ideas and feelings about life and our connection to the world.  Drawing upon archetypal and mythic messages, and coupling them with contemporary concerns, I examine the nature of consciousness: considering issues around identity, freedom and love to cruelty, suffering and mortality.

Searching for knowledge and understanding in what may be hidden, even dark, territory I try to articulate the hopes and fears which permeate existence and have such an impact on our potential.  Like life itself, the paintings may become joyous, gloomy, ironic, ambiguous or funny.

In using the figure as a viable conduit for explorations of modern culture, adopting familiar elements and painterly values, I aim to create statements which are vivid and timeless, and which invite an emotional immersion - with an engaging simplicity that not only belies deeper philosophical speculation but also resonates with the insights of a non-specialist audience, as a visitor once noted:

‘As a non-artist I often feel shut out of art, as if artists are speaking in a language I don’t understand.  Not so with this exhibition!  These painting spoke to me about my own life.   Wonderful. ‘

Education

1973-76              University of Brighton, BA Hons Fine Art
1976-77              University of Brighton, Post-graduate Certificate in Art Education
1992-94              Leeds Metropolitan University, MA Fine Art
1983-90              Arts Administrator, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, West Bretton
1991-present      Curator: Archive, Yorkshire Sculpture Park

Group Exhibitions/Projects

2010                   In absence, The Lloyd Gill Gallery, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset
2009                   Art Walk, Art of Oak, Wakefield, Yorks
2009                   Poem in a Box, York Art Gallery, York Minster, York Theatre Royal and Yorkshire Sculpture Park            
2009                   600th Anniversary Exhibition, Chateau des Reaux, France
2008                   Art of Oak, Wakefield, Yorks      
2008                   Night: A Time Between, On-line exhibition, Royal West of England Academy, Bristol
2008                   Beam, The Orangery, Wakefield, Yorks
2007                   Tree of Life, Nelson/Nixon Music CD; disc and sleeve design
2007                   Going Places, riverhouse Arts Centre, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey
2006                   World of Wonder, Arts Festival Fringe exhibition, Holmfirth, Yorks      
2006                   Painting Lives, Mercer Art Gallery, Harrogate, Yorks
2004                   Lexmark European Art Prize, Air Gallery, London
2003                   Do-Don’t/Can-Can’t, Impact III, Michaelis University, Cape Town, South Africa
2003                   Peculier Vision, The Arts Festival, Masham, Yorks
2002-2003          Angels, 20-21 Visual Arts Centre, Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire
2001-2003          One Heart, One World, Tour; London, UK; Salt Lake City, USA
(Winter Olympics); Tokyo, Osaka and 13 other cities, Japan
2001                   The Logic of Myth, Stroud House Gallery, Stroud, Gloucestershire                        
1999                   Notes from the Underground, Dostoyevsky Museum, St Petersburg, Russia
1999                   Mind’s Eye, The Manor House, Ilkley, Yorks
1998                   Comets and Stars, Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal, Cumbria
1997-1998          Seeing Red, The Arts Centre, Skelmersdale, Lancashire
1997                   Seeing Red, The Art Gallery, Rotherham, Yorks
1994                   Owt f’nowt, Pavilion Gallery, Leeds, Yorks
1994                   Centenary: Open Selection, City Art Gallery, Leeds, Yorks
1993                   Women Celebrate, Elizabethan Gallery, Wakefield, Yorkshire

Solo Exhibitions

2009-10              Flaws and Order, Jordans, Wakefield, Yorks
2004                   Light Source, Smith Art Gallery, Brighouse, Yorks
2003                   Within Sight, 20-21 Visual Arts Centre, Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire
2002                   Paintings, Jackson Quigg, Brighouse, Yorkshire
2001                   Listening to All Sides, Wakefield Art Gallery, Yorkshire
1999                   Later Work, GEC Management Centre, Dunchurch, Warks
1999                   Early Work, GEC Management Centre, Dunchurch, Warwickshire
1998                   Disclosures, Cooper Gallery, Barnsley, Yorks; and curated complementary show from Collection       

Awards
2004                   Lexmark European Art Prize, Regional Winner, UK
2003                   Arts Council England
2001                   Yorkshire Arts