Elaine Collett
North Dorset has been my home for many years, the river Stour, the brooks, the trees, the greenness, the poetry, all are strong influences on my work.
Much of it is driven by the energy and tension experienced in frequent field edge, crop line, walking through the changing seasons; exploring the power of growth in the face of uncertain and fluctuating weather conditions.
Interlinked fields, ditches, wild edges, long grass, troubled skies, uneven ground, crop vistas.
I am inspired by this particular landscape, but I am also interested in that hinterland where that landscape meets manmade intervention. The casual juxtaposition of discarded debris, washed up on beaches, scattered through fields or littering verges.
a beaten track through grass – a weed against a wall
a blade pierces calm waters – a stillness at the edge
solar panels in a field – a concrete bridge – a worn brick wall
plastic shards on beach and in field
An interest in words and written language has led me to employ text in both my painting and my drawing, the flow of handwriting adding a tonal, textural element, the significant words used, though overlaid and intentionally illegible, resonate as potential parallel communication.
Colour is pivotal in all my work, I particularly like to contrast neutral against saturated colour, translucent washes against dense opaque layers, building up depth and intensity in this way.
Each piece of work starts with an idea and a gestural mark triggered by memory and develops its own character and identity, always a balance between ‘formal visual language’ and expressive energy.
CURRICULUM VITAE
2006-7 ~ MA Fine Art, Arts University Bournemouth
1974-75 ~ PGCE, Goldsmiths College, University of London
1970-74 ~ BA Hons Fine Art, University of Reading
SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2014 ~ BEYOND GREEN: The Slade Centre, Gillingham
2012 ~ Artist of the Month, Blandford Museum
2011 ~ The Fat Fowl, Bradford on Avon
2010 ~ Pythouse Walled Garden
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2022 ~ OUT OF THE DARK – WESCA at 2 West Walks Dorchester
2022 ~ Dorset Art Weeks
2022 ~ PRINTS – invited artists at The Slade Centre Gillingham
2021 ~ COPING – group show at Guggleton Farm Arts
2021 ~ Longlisted for Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize
2021 ~ Millfield Open show – selected mixed media drawing
2020 ~ WESCA – Altered States – group show – Guggleton Farm Arts
2019 ~ RWA Open
2019 ~ SIDEWAYS glance – WESCA group show – 44AD Art Space Bath & Millhouse Arts Ilminster
2019 ~ DRAWING ON DORSET – Selected exhibition and publication – DVA / Evolver – Fine Foundation Gallery Durlston; The Lighthouse, Poole; The Slade Centre, Gillingham; & Dorset County Hospital, Dorchester
2018 ~ DAW – Open studio
2018 ~ Blooming Contradictions – WESCA group show – Eype Centre for the Arts
2018 ~ Atkinson Gallery Millfield Open Exhibition – work selected
2017 ~ WESCA – pop up – Vida Comida Sherborne
2016 ~ BEE’S EYE VIEW – Flower painting – Dorchester
2015 ~ ON THE EDGE – WESCA at Durlston Castle
2014 ~ WESCA – Group show Eype centre for the Arts
2014 ~ MY FAVOURITE THINGS – 10 female artists at The Slade Centre
2013 ~ ENCOUNTERS – WESCA, Dorset County Museum
2012 ~ From Sticks to Stone, RAIR (rural artists in residence) – The 54 Gallery, Shepherd Market, Mayfair, London
2012 ~ RAIR, group show, The Slade Centre, Gillingham
2012 ~ Dorset Art Weeks, The Slade centre, Gillingham
2009 ~ Black Swan , Frome : Open, selected work
2008 ~ Dorset Art Weeks, The Slade Centre, Gillingham
2008 ~ IN DISGUISE, Visual Subterfuge, The Slade Centre
2008 ~ 2 Person Show, The Springhead Trust
2007 ~ MA SHOW: AUCB – completed work for masters degree
2007 ~ ALTERNATIVE LANDSCAPE: Selected show at Salisbury Playhouse
2007 ~ FRONTIER: Artists books at The Study Gallery, Poole
2007 ~ SENSES: Group show, Walford Mill Crafts
2006 ~ Dorset Art Weeks: Group shows at The Slade Centre and The Springhead Trust
2005 ~ DOUBLE VISION: SCA, Sherborne House
2005 ~ COASTLINES: Selected show, The Art Shed, New Milton
2005 ~ EVER CHANGING: Selected show, Gallery 92, New Milton
2004 ~ IRRESISTIBLE: SCA, Sherborne House
2004 ~ VISUAL CHEMISTRY: SCA, Sherborne House
2004 ~ DAW – group show at The Slade Centre and The Springhead Trust
2003 ~ BIZARRE BIZARRE: SCA, Sherborne House
2003 ~ SPRING INTO SUMMER, North Dorset Group, Guggleton Gallery
2002 ~ SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL: SCA, Sherborne House
2002 ~ Group show, Dorchester Arts Centre
2001 ~ SPRINGBOARD: North Dorset Group, Sherborne House
2000 ~ DAW: Open studio
2000 ~ Bridport open: Selected work
Elaine Collett 