Elizabeth Couzins-Scott
My practice aims to utilise the intrinsic qualities of materials to evoke association and carry the essence of ideas. I have adopted an intuitive approach responding to materials and entering into an open dialogue with them as the work develops.I am interested in recycling and the transformation of found materials coupled with hand made paper, textiles ,stitch ; etc to make artefacts and assemblages of disparate components allowing a heterogeneity of media to explain the idea.
I consider remmnants and traces of materials , sometimes relating to Nature that seem significant and which for me contain layers of meaning.My most recent installation concerned with the degradation of our oceans has been a series of artefacts representing the remains of lost sealife presented as a reliquiae.
Environmental decline and degradation are facing our oceans
Climate change and plastic pollution are already threatening our marine life.Artists need to contribute to the growing body of environmentally conscious artworks that carry a responsible message.
The artefacts I have made to convey this message are all constructed from found debris washed up on the shore, pressed porcelain pieces and cast, recycled paper
My recent work has been concerned with environmental issues. Artists need to contribute to the growing body of environmentally conscious artworks that carry a resposible message to raise awareness and try to evoke change.I am interested in remnants and traces of materials relating to Nature that seem significant and which for me contain layers of meaning that can be developed into artefacts and imagery.
I originally studied 3D Design (Ceramics) at Farnham School of Art and then went to Manchester to study for a PGCE.I felt restricted working within a ceramic tradition and wanted to use different materials.I began to use recycled paper to create similar qualities to my work in clay based on an organized equivalent of organic form and moved towards textile ,collage and mixed media techniques.During a residency in the print making department at the University of Central Lancashire I was able to explore silk screen printing techniques
I have worked on commissions for corporate clients.have written articles and a book on papermaking and appeared on television to present the technique.I was a member of the 62 Group of Textile Artists and have exhibited regularly with them.I was one of 8 members chosen to represent the group at Collect at the V&A in London..I have worked as a creative practitioner at the Whitworth Art Gallery in Manchester and was commissioned to make textile pieces for their Tactile Collection.
I have recently been working in collaboration with breast cancer patients as part of a group called Comma,who are interested in the concept of Design Activism
Communication Medicine and Art
Solo and selected Group Exhibitions
2019 Lost at Sea Installation, Haworth Art Gallery, Accrington.
2015/17 IInternational Conference ,Sexuality and Cancer.Manchester Conference Centre.(CoMMa Communication ,Medicine,and Art)
2014 British Textile Art, Showa University,Tokyo, Japan
2012 Interventions, Gallery of Costume, Platt Hall, Manchester
2011 Collins Gallery, University of Strathclyde,Glasgow
2011 At a Tangent, Gallery Oldham, Oldham
2010 Four PRI Gallery University of Central Lancashire
2010 Bending the Line: Museum Rijswijk, Rijswijk Holland
2009 The Hub, the National Centre for Craft & Design, Lincolnshire
2008 Art of the Stitch: International Open Biennial Exhibition
Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery
Deutsches Textilmuseum Krefeld,Germany
Museum of Applied Arts, Budapest Hungary
2008 In the Window. Bluecoat Design Centre Liverpool (Solo Exhibition)
2007 Collect: The International Art Fair for Contemporary Objects
V&A Museum, London (1of 8 members selected to represent the 62
Group)
2006 Vanity Affair: An exhibition of experimental fashion and textiles
Atkinson Art Gallery, Southport (Solo Exhibition)
2005 Encounters: Museum of Zoology, Cambridge
2004 Of Material Concern: Millennium Galleries, Sheffield
2002 Textiles in Context: New works made in response to the collection
V&A Museum, London
2002 Red: A touring show with a touch of red.
Bury St Edmunds Art Gallery, Suffolk
Beverley Art Gallery, East Yorkshire
Irish Linen Centre and Lisburn Museum, Northern Ireland
2001C0llective Response Bankfield Museum Halifax
2000 Textiles for 21st Century Mc Manus Gallery Dundee
Commissions
The Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester (Tactile Collection of Contemporary Textiles)
Corporate Collections
Smith,Kline,Beecham.Art for Offices London
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. London Contemporary Art, Corporate Art Division
United Oil Products (Art for Offices)
J. Henry Schroder, Merchant Bankers, London (Art for Offices)
St. Mary's Hospital, Isle of Wight
Wither's Solicitors, London (London Contemporary Art)
Fullerhall,Vandersteen, Architects,London London Contemporary Art
American Airlines, London; (Art for Offices)
Publications
Radical Thread (The 62 Group of Textile Artists)
Papermaking; Elizabeth Couzins Scott, New Craft Series (Anness Publishing)
The Craft of Hand Papermaking; John Plowman (Apple Publishing)
Papermaking Techniques; John Plowman (Quarto Publishing)
The Art & Craft of Papermaking; Marion Elliott (Anness Publishing)
The Artist's & Illustrators Magazine
Embroidery Magazine
House & Garden
Crafts
The Art & Craft of Papermaking; Half hour Sky TV programme
Residency 2008 University Central Lancashire Printmaking
Employment
2007 -2013 Creative Practitioner; The Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester
Tutor to Embroiderers Guild Groups and for the 62 Group of Textile Artists
1989-2007 Blackpool Sixth Form College, Tutor ‘A’ Level Art, Textiles and Art History
1980 1988 Blackpool & the Fylde College, Teacher of Art & Design,GCSE& ‘A’ Level Ceramics, Adult Education