Camille Marquand
Camille Marquand

Statement

Concepts/Ideas/Themes
Concern for man’s overuse and under-appreciation of ‘the environment’ is an issue extremely close to my heart.  That we are one with nature at our best goes without saying….or does it?  My heart is in the sea, the mountains, the trees and it hurts terribly to see their despoliation because it is ours as well. I have painted many pictures about the ravaging forest fires in Greece, for example, and also the seas and mountains apparently undisturbed.
The paintings may come from contemplation and observation of the subject, whether it be landscape or figures on ancient Greek pottery but are also about abstract concepts, like communication or love.  The image is then worked into a satisfying synthesis between abstraction and figuration, placing narrative skills like drawing within an abstract grid-like structure with ‘boxes’ of colour.
The loose grid-like effect has many uses and takes on metaphorical meanings. For example, they symbolize the values and prejudices through which we see life; they are like the framework of our understanding which gives order to our imaginings but also acts as barrier.

Processes and Techniques
Working in oil and environmentally-friendly solvents, the pictures are made up of a network of grainy paths that map themselves into a skeleton composition and then are worked on with contrasting areas of impasto paint of more intense colour.

Career Path
Being self-taught in practice and educated in modern art theory through the Open University (BA Hons. 1992) I have been free to navigate my own development.  This has come through a lot of figurative drawing and painting into exploring abstraction and finally creating my own unique contemporary ‘voice’. My influences have been many, including Picasso as constant source of inspiration, and French and Scottish Colourists. I have undertaken many commissions, taken part in many group shows, had several solo shows and have work in private and public Collections.

• 2002 solo exhibition, The Digby Gallery, Mercury Theatre, Colchester
• 2002 solo exhibition, The Hellenic Centre, London
• 1999 Pigs' Bistro, Edinburgh
• 1997 Solo Exhibition, Dunedin Gallery, Edinburgh
• 1995 Solo Exhibition, Library Gallery, University of Surrey, Guildford
• 1991 Solo Exhibition, University of Surrey, Guildford, as part of Guildford Festival

• 2005 Opening Exhibition, August Gallery, Brenchley, Kent
• 2004 'Art of Love', Online Exhibition, Online into 2005
• 2003 Calling Cards, Buckenham Galleries, Southwold
• 2002 Nevill Gallery, Canterbury
• 2001 Sable Gallery, Dundas Street, Edinburgh
• 2001 Gold Gallery, Dundas Street, Edinburgh
• 2001 Hanover Fine Arts, Dundas Street, Edinburgh Festival
• 2000 DFN Gallery, New York; invited
• 2000 Hanover Fine Arts 25th Anniversary Exhibition, Edinburgh
• 2000 Four Square, for four women artists, Bridgeview, Aberdeen
• 2000 ABC Goes Public, Edinburgh College of Art and touring to Bridgeview, Aberdeen
• 1999 WASPS Open Weekend Event, Edinburgh
• 1999 Winter 1999, Nexus Gallery, Edinburgh
• 1999 The Unknown Gallery, Edinburgh Festival
• 1999 Hanover Fine Arts, Summer Exhibition, Edinburgh
• 1998 WASPS Open Weekend Arts Event
• 1996 Mixed Exhibitions: Nevill Gallery, Canterbury, Kent; City Gallery, London; Compass Gallery, Glasgow; Leith Gallery, Edinburgh; Stenton Gallery, East Lothian; Hanover Fine Arts, Edinburgh; Shimrod Gallery, Sheffield
• 1996 Edinburgh Festival, WASPS

• Among many for example: 2007 A Couple, Private, Greece
• Work in Collections  The House of Commons, Westminster; British Midland Airport Lounge, Edinburgh Airport; The Bonham Hotel, Edinburgh; The Three Chimneys Hotel, Isle of Skye; The Plus Restaurant, Elgin (Commissioned for seven pieces) and other private collections.