CV, Statement, Bio
Curriculum Vitae
Alexandra Brace (b. 1983, UK)
Charlotte, NC
28211
alexbrace28@gmail.com
www.alexandrabrace.com
Exhibitions
2012 Poetics of Space and Light, A&D Gallery, London
2011 Mail Art, (Post Ray Johnson) A&D Gallery, London
2011 Venus Demarco Beuys, The Demarco Archive Trust, Craigcrook Castle, Edinburgh
2010 70 Over 2000 Demarco European Art Foundation, Edinburgh
2009 BA Degree Show, University of Gloucestershire
Education
University of Gloucestershire, UK, BA Fine Art Painting and Drawing, 2009
Wimbledon School of Art, UK, Foundation course, 2005
Private Collections
UK, USA, Turks and Caicos.
Artist Statement
My work is deeply inspired through observing nature, and from atmospheric changes that occur in different places, as well as from changes of viewpoint and perspective. I find that subtle, interweaving elements, often not noticed at first, are the most enlightening — the wide spectrum of ways light exists through and around things, colours glowing through the leaves in a forest, light emanating off a campfire or shimmering on the sea and shedding beams through clouds. Without light there is no colour, and each subtle change in light changes the tone and contrast. I’m interested in the interaction of light and colour as they reflect off one surface to another. When you look closely and analyse the patterns, textures and colours in a petal for example, you notice the intricate way it is made up; and see that the texture you take for granted is covered by hundreds of tiny, iridescent, rainbow-coloured, velvety points of light.
Through the play of colour, texture and light, I am seeking to fabricate environments that have a timeless quality and an ambiguity of surface. Ranging from landscapes of more recognisable forms to abstract ones, they all are of the same foundation, all concerned with creating atmosphere in these ‘worlds’.
I love using a variety of mediums and tools, from thick varnishes and paints, to thin dyes and powder pigments to create effects. The mediums I use all move differently on the canvas, at different speeds, viscosity and levels of absorbency. They react in many ways with each other. Varnish will travel across the canvas, and take pigments with it, creating gradients of tone and colour. The way I paint is like a performance of the materials, choreographed by timing, curiosity and my tools!
I let the work adapt as the painting process unfolds, so that each work in a series can be a unique improvisation, a ‘variation on a theme’. As in music, I allow the tones and elements to react to find a richness and beauty through capturing these movements.
My work is a response to tangible and intangible moments of interest, inspired by the world around me. Metaphysically, it questions what we are made up of on all levels — perceptions, time, memory and shifts in atmosphere. I am experimenting with the use of different light sources, for example backlighting, and reflecting or projecting light onto the work to further the dimensional depth.
Through creating multi-layered work, I find that I can best express the dynamics and poetry of these elements.
Biographical Narrative
My greatest joy has always been experiencing the beauty and changing elements in the world. Growing up in the lush countryside of Oxfordshire triggered my love of this. As a child I would spend a lot of time in my garden and the surrounding areas of fields and riversides. Being immersed in the outdoors felt like my own world. It was full of infinite possibilities for inventing stories and characters, and I would play them out with my garden as a set.
After moving to London at the age of 11, I developed my love of paint through the discovery of watercolours and acrylics. I went on to take A-Level Art, and continued to explore paint in particular, and discovered my love of oil paint. Then, in moving to the USA at 18, my perspective on what I was creating expanded. I grew more of an appreciation for atmospheric and conceptual ideas. Through travel, I was inspired by the rich and contrasting diversity of life in different parts of the world.
Over holidays, I would often spend many weeks in the Caribbean, or at sea. Reflections of this are in my land-seascapes, which express a sense of solitude in these environments.
There are many different experiences which have inspired and influenced my work, such as watching the sunrise over a blanket of cloud, with dark night sky one edge of the horizon and the vibrant rising colours on the other side. But, I am as likely to be inspired by the chaotic beauty and energy of city life.
When I went on the ‘John Hall Course’, a 9 week history of Art course based in Venice, Florence and Rome, it encouraged my love of Art history and spurred me on to pursue my artwork as a career path. I moved back to the UK to take an Art Foundation course, and then earned a Fine Art Painting and drawing BA degree with Honors at the University of Gloucestershire.
I feel strongly about the importance of art in the world. It has the potential to unite people by transcending barriers and to motivate action through awareness. It is a unique, thought-provoking language.