JANE SWANSTON - Irish Artist

“When it comes to painting I consider myself a nomad. The journey, the struggle, is of more importance than the destination. Therefore painting a series of work in a particular way is not an option and planning a work from start to finish means it is likely to fall flat on its face. My primary interest is in creating a layered or textured surface from which the work can evolve. From this point the work leads me. The markmaking, the apparent instability of surface, and the drawn line are linked to a continually questioning approach and an underlying consciousness of the fragility of existence.
Although it is important that I relate to a subject matter and that this relationship often has its roots in some form of patriarchy, my subject matter is manifestly a means to discovering the expressive potential of paint . My passion however for horses is longstanding and ongoing.
An awareness of the then and now is inevitably present when I am working and I feel that this is related as much to personal memory as to a concern with a tradition of what representation means”. Jane Swanston

“This work attempts to consider the tenuous nature of being. It therefore is not about depiction in the figurative sense but grows and emerges somewhere between abstract imagination and figurative perception. The process of working reflects the approach which is one of searchful activity taking note of the analogies of experience and of memory along the way. The paintings evolve by degrees through thin transparent washes or impasto layers. Ultimately these discovered surfaces are an expression of the fragile but ultimately resilient nature of human existence”. Naughton Gallery – Artist’s Statement

“These paintings parallel a personal story. They are painted from life and are metaphors for a life experience subtly shared with the viewer. In this group of paintings what is emphatic in my response is the skilful exploration of paint in such a varied, sensitive and ultimately appropriate way”. David Crone on “Dolls” Solo Exhibition May 2007 – Tom Caldwell Gallery, Belfast.

JANE SWANSTON

2004 Master of Fine Arts University of Ulster, Belfast.
2002 BA. Hons. Fine and Applied Art, University of Ulster, Belfast.

AWARDS
2002 The John Turner Bursary, University of Ulster, Belfast.
2004 Finalist – Hunting Art Prize, Royal College of Art, London

SELECTED GALLERIES
Galleries exhibited include:
Tom Caldwell Gallery, Belfast, Northern Ireland
The Java Gallery, Belfast, Northern Ireland
The Kenny Gallery, Galway, Ireland
Malone House, Belfast,Northern Ireland
The USWA [Ulster Society of Women Artists] Exhibitions Northern Ireland
The Nicholas Gallery, Belfast, Northern Ireland
The Engine Room Gallery, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Coloured Rain Gallery, Templepatrick, Northern Ireland

SELECTED GROUP SHOWS
2002 Group Show, The Engine Room, Belfast, Northern Ireland
2002 The Green Gallery, Bangor, Northern Ireland
2003 Group Show, The Engine Room Galley, Belfast, Northern Ireland
2003 Drawing Conclusions Exhibition, Waterfront Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland
2003 Trust in Art Exhibition, Hillsborough Castle, Northern Ireland
2004 The Tile Refinery, Belfast, Northern Ireland
2004 The Chris Gilmore Gallery, Church Lane, Belfast, Northern Ireland
2004 The Naughton Gallery, Queens University, Belfast,Northern Ireland
2004 Gallery M, Lurgan, Northern Ireland
2004 The Royal Ulster Academy, Belfast, Northern Ireland
2006 The Royal Ulster Academy. Belfast, Northern Ireland
2004 Ballymena Museum, Ballymena, Northern Ireland
2004 Coloured Rain, Templepatrick, Northern Ireland
2005 ‘Contemporary Counterparts’ Belltable Arts Centre, Limerick, Ireland
2006 Charles Gilmore Gallery, Belfast, Northern Ireland
2007 Tom Caldwell ‘4 Painters’ Show, Belfast Northern Ireland

SELECTED SOLO SHOWS
2004 Solo show, Ards Art Centre, Town Hall, Newtownards, Northern Ireland
2005 Solo Show. Coloured Rain Gallery, Templepatrick, Northern Ireland
2006 Solo Show, The Engine Room, Belfast, Northern Ireland
2006 Solo Show, Gallery M Lurgan, Northern Ireland
2007 Solo Show, Tom Caldwell Gallery, Belfast

Jane Swanston is represented by Alan Evans – +44 (0) 2891-274499 (kwikweb@btinternet.com) who is pleased to discuss working with galleries in Ireland and Internationally.