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The Fylingdales Group of Artists





Jo Chesterman

Although I work in a variety of media I find that soft pastels complement my visual concerns with how surfaces, shapes and forms are affected by the intervention of light and other natural occurrences. I also combine acrylics and oils with printmaking processes to develop a tactile response to my chosen subjects. These are often studio still life arrangements in which the illumination plays an important part and I spend much time on getting this right before starting to paint. However I also find the quality of light and subjects that reveal themselves in coastal areas generate a parallel strand in my current work beyond the confines of the studio. The elevated or unfamiliar viewpoints and strong side lighting that I favour for the still lifes are also to be found on the sea shore and harbour sides, in washed up trawler line, lobster pots and lichen encrusted walls.

In my paintings I am concerned with more than mere replication of objects. I also have an intellectual and emotional response to how and where I see them. A further subtext in my work is a fascination with why the elements of a still life come together and I seek to give objects a heightened presence and element of mystery which transcends realism. I want my paintings to represent the complicated process of seeing as well, not just the objects themselves. In this way they become in their turn the object.

I am currently engaged with a new body of work in preparation for future exhibitions. My concerns remain the same although I am now including more landscapes and seascapes from my visits to northern parts of the UK, in particular the Shetland Isles.


EDUCATION

1954-1961 Bushey Grammar School, Hertfordshire

1961-1965 Leeds College of Art, NDD Fine Art

PART TIME ART TEACHING 1966-1978

Watford Boys’ Grammar School, Herts , Leeds College of Art, Thomas Danby College, Leeds

Abbey Grange High School, Leeds

FULL TIME ART TEACHING 1978-1979

Silver Royd High School, Leeds (Head of Art)

1979-2003 Park Lane College, Leeds,

Lecturer in Art with responsibilities for: A level and GCSE Art for adults ,Mature Access History of Art

Art with students with learning difficulties, Costume design and set design and construction for BTEC Performing Arts


FREE LANCE ILLUSTRATION 1975-1985

Methuen Childrens’ Books, Geo Bell and sons, publishers, Yorkshire Television, Ginn and Co. (Ginn 360)

E J Arnold and Co. (games and jigsaw puzzles), Waddington’s Games (games and jigsaw puzzles)

Early Learning Centre (play mat design), George Thackray Medical Publications.


GROUP EXHIBITIONS

1965 Leeds City Art Gallery

          1.Royal Academy, Pictures for Schools


          2.New Arcadians, Devonshire Arms, Bolton Abbey


          3.New Arcadians, Nelson Gallery, Harrogate


1987 New Arcadians, Gallery by the Park, Barrowford

1988 Leeds Art Fair

1989 Leeds Art Fair (selected artists-popular vote)

1990 Osbourne Gallery, London

1991 Francis Kyle Gallery, London

1995 Leeds Art Fair

          1.Leeds Art Fair


1999 Park Lane College, Leeds

          1.Leeds Art Fair


          2.Leeds Art Fair


          3.Lupton Square Gallery, Honley , Lund Gallery, Easingwold


          4.3 Albion Place, Leeds


          5.Stockdale Gallery, Whitby


          6.Zillah Bell Gallery, Thirsk


          7.Leeds Art Fair


          8.Leeds Art Fair


2008 North Light Gallery, Huddersfield

2008 Fylingdales Group (invited artist), Whitby

SOLO EXHIBITIONS 1992-2007

1992 Recent Work, Park Lane College, Leeds

2003 A Place for Everything, Art’s Café, Leeds

2005 Peripheral Vision, Bonhoga Gallery, Shetland

2007 Coastal Fringe and Other Paintings, Pannett Art Gallery, Whitby

2007 Coastal Edge, Newby Hall, Ripon

OTHER

1993 Mural, Great George Street, Leeds

1995 Exhibition design and display, Parry

Centenary, Leeds Town Hall

2004 Creative Partnerships, painting workshops Hartlepool

          1.Withie sculpture workshop, Burnsall Viking Festival


2005 Exhibitions coordinator, Leeds Fine Art Club (Ongoing)

2006 ‘Flowers are Fun’, painting workshop with English Nature, Upper Teesdale NNR

2006 - 2007 ‘Drawing Together’, drawing project with Teesside Schools, Creative Partnerships, (CPTV). Lead artist with Jake Attree and Jack Chesterman.