IONIST ART
HELLO WELCOME TO MY SITE
When I began painting in 1974, I experimented with many styles. These included surrealistic paintings, abstracts, sculptures, assemblages, environments and text based art - many of which I have continued to explore. I also produce a wide range of conventional figurative work.
I wanted to find a means of continuous creation in my work and in 1976 I found a style that enabled me to maximise and test my inventive ability. I began to experiment with sequential and developmental formats that allow a systematic analysis and elaboration of a thematic image or idea. I also began to combine images, symbols, numbers and words with controlling structures derived from science and mathematics. With tongue in cheek I coined the term IONIST ART for this work (this is what you get if you remove express from Expressionist Art!). I have since used the more descriptive term of MEDITATIVE PROCESS ART for this very complex work.
My interest in system based art diversified in the eighties. I began to use music forms as structures for my work and also became fascinated with merging painting with writing and theatrical ideas - setting poetry to paintings, image dramas and performance pieces, etc. Typically, the music based work consisted of a thematic statement followed by a series of variations or a development section where the initiating material is expanded and explored.
I am also producing series of MEDITATIVE LANDSCAPES, STILL LIFES & PORTRAITS. This work combines observation with the systems, image sequences and symbols developed in my other work. The landscapes etc. attempt a more holistic representation of the natural world and the portraits attempt the characterisation of a person using colours, symbols and signs.
I have shown regularly at the Loggia Gallery in London and I have had many other exhibitions of my work. I have paintings in private collections, public buildings and on business premises throughout England. I show regularly with the international Free Painters & Sculptors as well as other national and local art groups. I have also exhibited with Elyn Carleton's "Creators" and "Innovators" groups.
I am happy to work to commission and I will consider any project, either solo or collaborative.
More information and an extensive gallery can be found on my web site: www.ionistart.com
I founded the IONIST ART GROUP in 1987 to provide a means of exchanging ideas with like minded people and initiate collective projects. It had a large membership from the artistic and scientific communities. I published the ION EXCHANGE newsletter between 1989 and 1991 and arranged monthly Science-Art Fusion Forums in the London area between 1988 and 1992. It is still active as an exhibiting group and I am currently working on a new publication.
I expanded my areas of interest in the early Nineties and began to create and stage events of all kinds to raise funds and campaign for charities. Part of this work was done under the name of ARTISTS FOR ANIMALS. New events are planned.
In 1994 I began a series of exhibitions under the name of MODERN ARTISTS with the aim of presenting and promoting Modern Art in my local area. This group is still very active.
I continue to experiment with my art work and also expand the ways of presenting my ideas to the public. I am currently initiating the ADVANCED ART RESEARCH project with the aim of exploring new approaches to creativity in art and other disciplines.
I am profoundly interested in all the sciences, especially physics and chemistry. I am also passionate about geology, astronomy archeology, history and geography.
I have a more practical interest in all aspects of Natural History - including botany, zoology, palaeontology and ecology, particularly in terms of conservation. I work on a voluntary basis for the Wiltshire Wildlife Conservation Volunteers and I am a member of the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust.
I currently live and work in Andover with my wife, June; dog, Poppy; cats, Bugsy, Smudge and Isis plus various other pets.
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