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.
