Edward Ashton

Artist statement

In 2006 I completed a BA (Hons) Degree in Fine Art, studying at University of Wales College, Cardiff. Since then I have continued my practice, having both exhibitions and commissions while developing my work.
The starting point for my work is through a constant gathering of found imagery from magazine cuttings, photos and and old postcards. The paintings arise from a careful selection and manipulation of this imagery, through cropping, editing and more recently collage.
The images tend to be of a non-personal nature, and have predominantly focused on landscape and architecture. The landscapes tend to be dramatic, inspired by romantic paintings, while the buildings are often monumental. My work is informed by German painting both art historical and contemporary, referencing artists such as Caspar David Friedrich, Gerhard Richter, Anselm Kiefer and more recently Martin Kippenberger.
Over the past year my paintings have developed in terms of subject matter while moving away from the depiction of one scene. By creating collages I have made my own imagery from which to work, intending my paintings to be more open to viewer interpretation with a combination of satirical, contemporary and playful images.

Qualifications and training

• 2003 BA (Hons) Fine Art, 1st Class, UWIC, Cardiff
• 2003 Foundation Diploma in Art and Design, University of Wales College, Newport, Newport

Group exhibitions

. 2007 Basel Coffee, Cardiff
• 2006 Christmas Show, Washington Gallery, Penarth, Cardiff
• 2006 Fine Art Degree Show, Howard Gardens Gallery, Cardiff
• 2005 Hans Brinker Exhibition, Hans Brinker Hotel, Amsterdam

Private commissions

• 2007 4 Paintings of Cardiff Bay for Mr Martin Briggs, Cardiff Bay, Cardiff
Competitions, prizes and awards
• 2005 Dulcie Mayne Stephens Art Trust, Cardiff School of Art and Design, Cardiff

Private Collection

. 2007 Bay 1 (Acrylic on panel)
. 2007 Bay 2 (Acrylic on panel)
. 2007 Bay 3 (Acylic on panel)
. 2007 Bay 4 (acrylic on panel)
. 2007 Eiger, Jungfrau, Munch (Acrylic on panel)
. 2006 Prague no. 46 (Acrylic on panel)
. 2006 Montpeyroux (acrylic on panel)
. 2006 Snowdon (Acrylic on panel)
. 2006 Abraham (Acrylic on panel)
. 2006 Emma (Acrylic on panel)
. 2006 Paris Nude 1 (Acrylic on panel)
. 2006 Paris Nude 2 (Acrylic on panel)
. 2005 The great wall (Acrylic, emulsion and sand on paper)

Publications

• 2006 Monuments of Old Prague, Published by Editions Martin, Cardiff