Expressions of an Intimate Ecology

'Ecology expresses the interdependence of an environment; how the action of a part affects the whole.'

North Devon Artist Peter Ward expresses his relationship with his environment through an intuitive use of symbols, abstraction and narrative. His influences are predominantly from primitive and children's art combined with an understanding of contemporary art practices. Media ranges from oil, acrylic and watercolour to digital technology, earth pigments and vegetable-based dyes.

"I enjoy playing with the music and rhythm of colour, its interaction, to evoke a sense of place, of time, of pattern and landscape. For me a painting is an amalgamation of energy, an interpretation or treatment of experience whether seen, felt or heard. It is a statement of connection to my being within the environment."

His recent work explores living in North Devon, an area Peter has known since childhood - its culture, landscape and contemporary heritage. Through observation and experience he hopes to capture and interpret the spiritual identity of an area.

"I believe the identity of an area, its personality, is deeply affected by the rock upon which it stands. The minerals that feed the plants, the soils that have been created by millions of years of earth changes, create the colours and structure of a place and hence the mood of its landscape. This in turn affects the way we relate to our environment and hence its cultural manifestation."

During 2008 Peter will be running a series of workshops, 'Painting with the Earth', in conjunction with Appledore Arts and The Museum of Barnstaple & North Devon to celebrate North Devon's natural heritage. The workshops will offer the opportunity to explore locally found pigments.

"The use of media specific to a local area, such as earth pigments and in particular 'Bideford black' and other coloured clays, can enhance the images expressed through their resonance with that area, as well as through the experience of collecting and processing such materials, which may bring us more deliberately in touch with our environment."

Peter will be exhibiting his work at the Burton Gallery, Bideford from September 27th to October 25th. He has previously made and exhibited his work in England and in Ireland, where he lived from 1993 - 2003.

His work is sold as originals prints and cards and he is open to commission. He also provides services as an illustrator and graphic designer, specialising in environmental interpretative displays, and has worked in conjunction with schools and local authorities on complementary teaching projects and murals.

Name - Peter Ward
Address - 24 Lansdown Terrace, St. Georges Road, Barnstaple, N. Devon, EX32 7AW
Telephone - 07876733720
Email - peteward@iorarua.wanadoo.co.uk
Website - www.peterward-artist-illustrator.co.uk

Education

1986-89
Bristol Polytechnic, Honours Degree Graphic Design & Illustration
1985-86
Portsmouth CADFE, Foundation Course
1978-1985
Portsmouth Grammar School, Secondary Education

Work Experience

2008
Painting with the Earth Workshop, Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon & Appledore Arts
Lynton Youth Club Mural Project, Devon Youth Service, Lynton
6th North Devon Open Art Show, Queens Theatre, Barnstaple
New Year New Work, Broomhill Sculpture Gardens, Barnstaple

2007
Year New Work, Broomhill Sculpture Gardens, Barnstaple
5th North Devon Open Art Show, Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon
Square Picture Shows, Appledore Arts Festival and Broomhill Sculpture Gardens, Barnstaple
Westward Ho! & Bideford Art Society Summer Exhibition, Burton Gallery, Bideford
Bigger Picture Show, Trelawney Garden Centre, Barnstaple
Christmas Fair, Nettlecombe Court, Somerset
Devon Artsculture Showcase, Dartington Hall
Burton Art Gallery, Christmas Exhibition, Bideford, North Devon

2006
Illustrations for Field Studies Council 'Rocky Shore Guide' Fold-out key
Square Picture Show, Broomhill Sculpture Gardens, Barnstaple
Large Picture Show, Trelawney Garden Centre, Barnstaple
Christmas Craft Fair, Nettlecombe Court, Somerset
Burton Art Gallery, Christmas Exhibition, Bideford, North Devon

2005
Genesense Website Logos, Plymouth University
Christmas Craft Fair, Nettlecombe Court, Somerset
2004
Mount Street Project, Interpretative Display, Plymouth University
2003
Christmas Craft Fair, Nettlecombe Court, Somerset
Burton Art Gallery, Christmas Exhibition, Bideford, North Devon

2003-05
House Painting and stonework, interior and exterior, N. Devon and Somerset
2002
Architectural Artists Impressions, Co. Galway
Bag/Logo design, Apricot Healthstore, Co. Galway
2001
Graphic Design Course, FAS Feakle, Co. Clare
Clare Environmental Alliance Logo, Co. Clare
CELT (Centre for Environmental Living & Training) Brochure, Co. Clare

2000
Interpretative Display Boards, Nettlecombe Court FSC, West Somerset
'Ennis Arts' Group Exhibition, Ennis Co. Clare
Glass-painting and paper-making workshops, Flagmount NS, Co. Clare
Craft Fairs, Co. Clare

1999
Interpretative Display Boards, Nettlecombe Court FSC, West Somerset
'Pathfinding', Joint Exhibition, Mill Lane Gallery, West Hampstead, London
School Mural and Play Set, Flagmount NS, Co. Clare

1998-2003
House Painting, interior and exterior, Co. Clare

1998
'Potato-Printed' Cards, Country Markets Ltd., Co. Clare
Commissioned Card Set, Burren School of Homoeopathy, Co. Galway
East Clare Artists Group Exhibition, Scarriff, Co. Clare

1996
Set Design and Painting for Travelling Performance, Galway Arts Festival

1996-2003
Private Painting Commissions and Graphic Design, Co. Clare

1995
'Mud Painting' Workshop, Somerstown Middle School, Portsmouth
'Salthouse' Interpretative Display, Pagham Harbour LNR, West Sussex

1994
'Oddfish', Solo Exhibition, Gosport Library
Midwinter Group Exhibition, Bracknell Arts Centre

1993
Interpretative Display for 'Visitor Centre', Pagham Harbour LNR, West Sussex
Sign writing, Co. Clare
Commissioned Paintings for Craft Shop, Roundstone, Co. Galway

1992
Commissioned Mural Painting, private, Gosport
Joint Exhibition, Gosport Library

1991
'Together Apart', Joint Exhibition, Mountbatten Gallery, Portsmouth

1990
Commissioned Foyer Painting, DICOLL Computers, Basingstoke

1989
Group Exhibition, The Assoc. of Illustrators Gallery, London

1985-90
Freelance Graphic Design and Illustration, Portsmouth