STATEMENT:
My work is concerned with the phenomena of artificial light, coupled with the issue of electronic reproduction. The paintings originate from my own photographic material, with the images often taken from relatively low resolution mobile phones and cameras.
The paintings represent a nocturnal narrative flow. Some of the pieces are concerned predominantly with giving artificial light physical substance, whilst others present a historical trajectory. I am conscious of the phenomena I am depicting and its relationship with modernism. I am not simply painting reflections of ‘artificial light’, but am constantly engaged in representing a world which only exists as a result of man-made light. An entire culture has developed on the back of this processed light, and this is reflected in the ‘nightclub’, empty ‘urban street scenes’ and ‘MTV music video stills’ that I depict within the studio.
Furthermore, I have realised that the images I translate are somewhat illusory – in effect I am painting the pixels that allow me to witness the image, whether from the illuminated television, computer or camera screen. I have also begun to question my work in relation to ‘space’; the very fact I freeze and pause the original image begs the question as to whether these images actually exist in real time, or are simply an illusion? This is because the naked eye fails to actually see the images I capture, and can only witness them once frozen, paused or translated onto my canvas.
There is a balance to be struck between staying true to the original image and the natural instinct of an artist to make changes and alterations. I feel a strange loyalty to reproduce the image faithfully, yet at the same time I feel the need to change the image in some way, to make it more interesting or to add atmosphere, (at times I want to simply hint at the original source, not give it away).
I graduated from Central Saint Martins, with a BA in Fine Art, in July 2009.
EXHIBITIONS & BACKGROUND:
Born 1986, London, UK
Lives and works in London
EDUCATION:
| 2006-09 | Central Saint Martins, London: BA (Hons) Fine Art |
GROUP EXHIBITIONS:
|
May 2010 Apr 2010 Feb 2010 Jan 2010 Jan 2010 2009 2009 |
'From the Darkness', Mascalls Gallery, Brighton 'Mixed Media Show', Candid Arts Trust, Islington, London 'The Middle of Nowhere', Departure Gallery, London 'Futurism: Figments of your Imagination', WLS, London 'Swan Song', Diadem Court, Soho The Waiting Room, North London Central St Martins Degree Show, Charing Cross Road, London |
| 2009 | 'Face to Face', The Crypt Gallery, St Pancras Church, Euston, London |
| 2009 | 'Face to Face', Forty Hall, The Panel Room, Enfield, London |
| 2008 | 'Light-up Langthorne Park', Olympiad Event, with Illumini Quantum, Leytonstone, London |
| 2008 | 'Illumini', The Crypt gallery, St Pancras Church, Euston, London |
| 2008 | Byam Shaw Gallery, Islington, London |
| 2007 | Trinity Buoy Wharf, East London |
SOLO EXHIBITIONS:
| 2008 | 'Splash of Light', We Are Arts gallery, Central St Martins, Holborn, London |
| 2005 | Cafe Riva, Winchmore Hill, London |
OTHER:
- Two of Andrea’s photographs were chosen to advertise the 'Illumini' and 'Illumini Quantum exhibitions, 2008.
- Andrea has also been mentioned in publications such as 'Time Out' and 'a-n' magazine, and has been featured in the Enfield 'Advertiser', 'Independent' and 'Gazette', among others.