fiona campbell
Mediums Used
Fiona Campbell explores connections between line, growth and energy, interconnections from micro to macro, nature’s cyclical persistence and transformation. Treating line as object, her work blurs boundaries between sculpture, drawing and installation. In addition to her own practice, Fiona works within the community on collaborative art projects, residencies, teaching and running workshops.
“I am interested in the essence of life, the cyclical persistence and interconnectedness of the natural world, latent energy and vitalism. Treating line as object, my work blurs boundaries between sculpture, drawing and installation. I work in a linear way, constructing drawings in space.
Materiality and process are central to my practice. The work is hand-made and labour-intensive – the action of making often intuitive, time-consuming and repetitive. Instinctive building processes such as wrapping, weaving and layering become a form of 3d mark making. The raw energy, longevity and patinas of steel, copper and wire make an interesting connection with other found and recycled materials. I like the concept of reusing things, giving them a rebirth, and the playfulness of creating new forms from given shapes.
Sculptures by fiona campbell
Credentials
Qualifications
2016-18: MA (Fine Art) - grade A, Bath Spa University
1993-94 PGCE – Art, Secondary, Exeter University, Devon
1984-87 Fine Art (Sculpture) – distinction, Byam Shaw School of Art, London
1981-83 Fine Art (Painting) – optionally discontinued, Newcastle Polytechnic
1980-81 Foundation Art – merit, West Sussex College of Design,2016-18: MA (Fine Art) - grade A, Bath Spa University
1993-94 PGCE – Art, Secondary, Exeter University, Devon
1984-87 Fine Art (Sculpture) – distinction, Byam Shaw School of Art, London
1981-83 Fine Art (Painting) – optionally discontinued, Newcastle Polytechnic
1980-81 Foundation Art – merit, West Sussex College of Design
Exhibitions
yes
Awards
2018 Bath Spa University Enterprise Showcase Fund, Ingruttati Palermo, Manifesta Biennale
2015 Arts Council England, Grants for the Arts, step in stone
2014 Environmental Award, Devon Recycled Sculpture Trail
2012 Highly commended for Green Capital Residency, Bristol’s Big Green Week
2011 First Prize, Atkinson Gallery Summer Show, Street
2009 3-d Winner, Wildlife Artist of the Year, Mall Galleries, London
Publications
SoundBites Talk, Hauser & Wirth Somerset; ‘Art from Scrap’ Talk, Ocean Matters, Bristol Aquarium; Sunday Telegraph May ’16; Frustrated Gardener May ’16; step in stone film & catalogue ‘15; Of Form And Texture Exhibition ’14; Common Threads Ignite Somerset ’13; Scraptors at Stourhead 2011; SAW Presentation; Abundance Art in the Garden ’13; Landfillart – 1041 Hubcaps as Art; Summers Place/Sotheby’s catalogue ’12; Spaeda Featured Artist ’10; BBC website ’10; Somerset Life Featured Artist ’09; Gagliardi’s British Contemporary Art ’91,SoundBites Talk, Hauser & Wirth Somerset; ‘Art from Scrap’ Talk, Ocean Matters, Bristol Aquarium; Sunday Telegraph May ’16; Frustrated Gardener May ’16; step in stone film & catalogue ‘15; Of Form And Texture Exhibition ’14; Common Threads Ignite Somerset ’13; Scraptors at Stourhead 2011; SAW Presentation; Abundance Art in the Garden ’13; Landfillart – 1041 Hubcaps as Art; Summers Place/Sotheby’s catalogue ’12; Spaeda Featured Artist ’10; BBC website ’10; Somerset Life Featured Artist ’09; Gagliardi’s British Contemporary Art ’91
Fiona Campbell was born and raised in Kenya (`62). Fiona studied Foundation Art at West Sussex College of Design (`80-`81), Fine Art Degree (painting) at Newcastle Polytechnic (`81-83), Byam Shaw School of Art, London (`84-`87), Exeter University (`93-`94), and Bath Spa UNiversity (`16-`18), gaining Art Foundation (merit), Byam Shaw Diploma (distinction), PGCE and MFA (Class A).
She has been developing her art over many years (drawings, paintings, mixed media work and sculptures), exhibiting widely throughout Southern England, with collections abroad.
Fiona works to private and public commission for indoor and outdoor sculptures.
Concurrent with working as a professional artist, Fiona runs workshops and works on art projects within the community.
Environmental concerns are important to Fiona. Pressing issues about human exploitation of nature (of which we are a part) and over-consumption informs the content of recent work. Rooted in anti-consumerism, her use of reclaimed, found and discarded materials relates to the issue of waste, utilising and giving them new life. It belongs to a wider subject of our relationship with matter, nature, and ourselves. Materiality and process are central to her practice. The work is hand-made and labour-intensive - the action of making often intuitive, time-consuming and repetitive.
Fiona is interested in natural phenomena – neurons, egg sacs, worms, webs, mycelium, coral life, ancient sea creatures, trees and organs, concepts such as convergence and vitalism. An extract by Donna Haraway (2016) sums up her current concerns about the interconnectedness of life:
‘The tentacular are... fingery beings like humans... squid, jellyfish, neural extravaganzas, fibrous entities, flagellated beings... swelling roots... The tentacular are also nets and networks... Tentacularity is about life lived along lines ... a series of interlaced trails’.
Of Fiona`s project `step in stone`, 2015:
‘I have been utterly entranced by what has been achieved by this extraordinary collaborative event. The fourteen artists are from a myriad of artistic disciplines yet have created a glorious spectacle. From the vastness of the quarries to the intimacy of the Black Swan’s Round Tower, the site-specific works harmonise with their environment. Fiona Campbell and her artists have achieved something wonderful.’ Amanda Sheridan, Chair Black Swan Arts, of ‘step in stone‘ 2015
Of Fiona`s Abundance project, 2013:
"Brilliant connection with nature. Full of surprises" Gina Westbrook – TakeArt
"Loved the mix and `aura` of colours and sense of ` funghal` forms thirsting out of the ground. The long winding pathways through the garden leading to the hidden glade of unearthly and earthly treasures!" Robin McDowell
"Amazing to have the imagination to turn a pile of old scrap into something so beautiful" Annette
Selected public commissions:
2016 RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Viking Cruises gold/best artisan garden
2016 Bishop sculpture, Bishops Palace, Wells
2015 Temporary site-specific artscapes, `step in stone`, Somerset
2013 Site-specific artwork & exhibition, SAW/NGS Abundance Garden Trail, Somerset; Chameleon sculpture, All Hallows Prep School woodland, Somerset
2012 Swans of Wells Residency and `Candela` Swan, All Hallows Prep School, Somerset
2011 Giant Insects, Stackpool Park, Kidderminster, Wyre Forest Council
2011 Bat sculpture, Tamar Valley Centre, Cornwall
2010 Dragonfly and Nymph sculpture & Giant Spider, Carymoor Environmental Centre, Castle Cary
2009 Series of large Insect sculptures, Dobbies Garden World, Somerset
