About
About |
Philip was born in Plymouth where he still lives and works. Returning to study part time as a mature student at Arts University Plymouth Philip graduated with a first class honours degree in Painting, Drawing and Printmaking.
At his graduation show Philip won awards from Artmill Gallery, Delamore Arts, and a commendation from the Brownston Gallery. During studying at the university one of Philip’s drawings ‘Stand’ won the student award in the Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize. He has gone on to have work exhibited nationally and win further awards at the South West Academy Open exhibitions in 2019 and 2021 and more recently won the Howden Art Award at the Wells Art Contemporary 2023.
His making practice traverses the parameters of painting, drawing and printmaking, creating paths and allowing him to approach his subjects in various mediums. He is more recently known for his charcoal drawings that are built up with multiple layers producing rich subtle textures and the combination of varying elements from loose painterly characteristics to very refined key areas that together produce a striking depth of field.
At his graduation show Philip won awards from Artmill Gallery, Delamore Arts, and a commendation from the Brownston Gallery. During studying at the university one of Philip’s drawings ‘Stand’ won the student award in the Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize. He has gone on to have work exhibited nationally and win further awards at the South West Academy Open exhibitions in 2019 and 2021 and more recently won the Howden Art Award at the Wells Art Contemporary 2023.
His making practice traverses the parameters of painting, drawing and printmaking, creating paths and allowing him to approach his subjects in various mediums. He is more recently known for his charcoal drawings that are built up with multiple layers producing rich subtle textures and the combination of varying elements from loose painterly characteristics to very refined key areas that together produce a striking depth of field.
Statement
My work to some extent involves delving into social, political, and economic tensions that exist beneath life’s surface.
I express what I want to say on these issues in my own way, subsuming information from varying sources and then coming to a conclusion through imagery.
The use of photography plays a vital role within my practice. I don’t try to make my drawings look like photographs, up close the fact of them being a drawing is obvious. But by using photography as a tool, removing and retaining elements within the image, my ideas can be brought into realisation.
Each drawing evolves through a constant process of application and removal, striving to obtain the levels of texture and tone that I feel best describe the form. Throughout construction there is a constant dialogue. An exchange between previous and subsequent marks made, a conversation, with the drawing directing me towards what it needs to become. I feel that within this balance of direction and intuition the drawings mass of forms become cohesive and breathe life into the work.
I express what I want to say on these issues in my own way, subsuming information from varying sources and then coming to a conclusion through imagery.
The use of photography plays a vital role within my practice. I don’t try to make my drawings look like photographs, up close the fact of them being a drawing is obvious. But by using photography as a tool, removing and retaining elements within the image, my ideas can be brought into realisation.
Each drawing evolves through a constant process of application and removal, striving to obtain the levels of texture and tone that I feel best describe the form. Throughout construction there is a constant dialogue. An exchange between previous and subsequent marks made, a conversation, with the drawing directing me towards what it needs to become. I feel that within this balance of direction and intuition the drawings mass of forms become cohesive and breathe life into the work.
Exhibition history
RWA 170th Open Exhibition, Bristol. (2023)
Wells Art Contemporary, Wells Cathedral, Wells. (2023)
Artmill 100, Artmill Gallery, Plymouth. (2023)
South West Academy of Fine & Applied Arts Open, Kennaway House, Sidmouth. (2022)
RWA 169th Open Exhibition, Bristol. (2022)
Artmill Gallery, Plymouth. (Two man exhibition) (Sept,2022)
Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize 2022, (Longlisted)
Delamore Arts 22, Delamore House, Cornwood (2022)
Artmill Gallery Christmas Show, Plymouth. (2019, 20, 21)
South West Academy of Fine & Applied Arts Open, Kennaway House, Sidmouth. (2021)
Allusive Lines, Leadworks, Plymouth. (Group exhibition) (2020, 21)
Canonteign Falls 4th Artist in Residence Exhibition, Chudleigh. (Group exhibition) (2021)
PD&P Summer show, Plymouth College of Art, Plymouth. (Group exhibition) (2021)
RWA 168th Open Exhibition, Bristol. (2021)
Project Space One, Plymouth College of Art, Plymouth. (Solo exhibition) (2020)
Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize (touring exhibition), Trinity Buoy Wharf, London. Salisbury Museum, Salisbury. Leicester Gallery, DMU, Leicester. (2019/20)
South West Academy of Fine & Applied Arts Open, Exeter Castle, Exeter. (2018, 19)
Artmill 100, Artmill Gallery, Plymouth. (2019)
PD&P group show, Artmill Gallery, Plymouth. (2019)
PD&P group show, Radiant Gallery, Plymouth. (2017)
Plymouth Arts Club, Various locations, Plymouth. (Annually 2013-22)
Wells Art Contemporary, Wells Cathedral, Wells. (2023)
Artmill 100, Artmill Gallery, Plymouth. (2023)
South West Academy of Fine & Applied Arts Open, Kennaway House, Sidmouth. (2022)
RWA 169th Open Exhibition, Bristol. (2022)
Artmill Gallery, Plymouth. (Two man exhibition) (Sept,2022)
Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize 2022, (Longlisted)
Delamore Arts 22, Delamore House, Cornwood (2022)
Artmill Gallery Christmas Show, Plymouth. (2019, 20, 21)
South West Academy of Fine & Applied Arts Open, Kennaway House, Sidmouth. (2021)
Allusive Lines, Leadworks, Plymouth. (Group exhibition) (2020, 21)
Canonteign Falls 4th Artist in Residence Exhibition, Chudleigh. (Group exhibition) (2021)
PD&P Summer show, Plymouth College of Art, Plymouth. (Group exhibition) (2021)
RWA 168th Open Exhibition, Bristol. (2021)
Project Space One, Plymouth College of Art, Plymouth. (Solo exhibition) (2020)
Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize (touring exhibition), Trinity Buoy Wharf, London. Salisbury Museum, Salisbury. Leicester Gallery, DMU, Leicester. (2019/20)
South West Academy of Fine & Applied Arts Open, Exeter Castle, Exeter. (2018, 19)
Artmill 100, Artmill Gallery, Plymouth. (2019)
PD&P group show, Artmill Gallery, Plymouth. (2019)
PD&P group show, Radiant Gallery, Plymouth. (2017)
Plymouth Arts Club, Various locations, Plymouth. (Annually 2013-22)
Awards
Wells Art Contemporary 2023 - Howden Art Award
South West Academy of Fine & Applied Arts Open 2022 - Pegasus Award for ‘Best Work on Paper’
South West Academy of Fine & Applied Arts Open 2021 - Tonic Gallery Award
The Delamore Arts Annual Student Prize 2021
Artmill Gallery & Framing Student Award 2021
Brownston Gallery - Highly Commended 2021
Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize 2019 - Student Award
South West Academy of Fine & Applied Arts Open 2019 - Pegasus Award for ‘Best Work on Paper’
South West Academy of Fine & Applied Arts Open 2022 - Pegasus Award for ‘Best Work on Paper’
South West Academy of Fine & Applied Arts Open 2021 - Tonic Gallery Award
The Delamore Arts Annual Student Prize 2021
Artmill Gallery & Framing Student Award 2021
Brownston Gallery - Highly Commended 2021
Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize 2019 - Student Award
South West Academy of Fine & Applied Arts Open 2019 - Pegasus Award for ‘Best Work on Paper’