Estelle Woolley
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I have a deep rooted affinity with the countryside and its resources, in part informed by my family's long association with farming. The cyclical element of the processes in nature inspires me, as do the insignificant details that we might often pass by. I am interested in ways that we work with or against nature; how we react and intervene, and how nature responds back at a domestic level and beyond.
Exploring the oscillation between microcosm and macrocosm, I often question how very small things can imply much larger thoughts or concerns. Through a minimal and poetic use of materials, which are often very fragile, I explore possible narratives and layers of meaning. By subtle manipulation I hope to renew a sense of curiosity, while always highlighting the beauty inherent in the forms used.
A significant strand of my practice involves an enquiry into the relationship between the visual and the sonic, between sound and object. My work is concerned with the way in which we ‘see’ sound physically, as an integral component of the sculpture, exploring the embodiment of sound within the object. I adopt an attitude of openness to being in the world, absorbing environmental sounds which spark inspiration.
Likewise, this approach is embraced in the gathering and collecting of curious objects of synaesthetic correlation, and in the construction of materials. I explore a sculptural dialogue between materials and forms in relation to the site specificity of space.
Since the pandemic my practice has become more collaborative in nature and I have produced several projects involving garment sculpture. These are made from freshly foraged natural materials, and working in collaboration with models, photographers, taxidermists, makeup artists and other visual artists.
Competitions, prizes and awards
2022 - First Place, The Grosvenor Museum Opem, Chester
2021 - The People's Choice Prize, Ty Pawb Open; An exhibition celebrating lockdown creativity, Wrexham
2020 - Artist of The Month, Outside In
2020 - First Place, The Art of The Mask, Blue Girl Gallery
2020 - Artist of The Week, Axis
2020 - Highly Commended in The Sustainability First Art Prize, London
2012 - First place in The People's Prize , Life, The Universe and Everything (The Annual Aardvark Open), Chester
2011 - NADFAS North West Bursary Award, The Brian Mercer Charitable Trust, North West
2003 - Young Artists in Italy Bursary Award
Publications
2022 - Artistic, Curatorial & Anthropological Engagement with the Face Mask, University of Oxford
2022 - A Forager's Manual; How To Get Lost During A Global Pandemic, self published, limited edition handbound book in collaboration with Jaime Molina
2022 - The Edge Magazine
2021 - Cultural Programs of the National Academy of Sciences, Washington DC
2021 - In Situ; Edition 3; a global e catalogue of artistic responses to the pandemic created in situ
2020 - Fuconomy, https://fuconomy.com/articles/estelle-woolley/
2020 - Politiken (28 September), feature on masks, Denmark https://politiken.dk/ibyen/art7936955/Med-disse-10-mundbind-bliver-dit-coronaliv-lidt-sjovere
2020 - The September Mass Collection, 'Grassroots'
2020 - Artists Responding To Zine, Issue 2
2020 - The New York Magazine (September issue, feature on masks)
2020 - Haus A Rest Zine
2020 - Wales Arts Review (Lockdown Creativity)
2020 - The Sustainability First Art Prize
2020 - Art Hole Magazine, June edition https://www.ahole.co.uk/
2020 - Dwell Time Covid 19 Special Edition, arts and mental wellbeing international publication
2020 - Radical Innuendo - sound art album and CD, Department of Art and Design, University of Chester, Freqtonic Records Publication
2020 - Dwell Time Issue 2, arts and mental wellbeing international publication, Penistone Line, Yorkshire
2012 - Expo, exhibition catalogue. University of Chester special collections library
2012 - The Conversation, exhibition catalogue. University of Chester special collections library
2012 - The Paper Tree Magazine, Issue 1, June 2012, (p. 88)
Group exhibitions
2023 - Lost, Found, Hidden, Stored, The Grosvenor Museum
2022 - On Another Level, The Grosvenor Museum, Chester
2022 - Disgust, East Window South Gallery, Boulder, Colorado
2022 - AA2A Introductory Exhibition, The University of Chester
2022 - The 14th Grosvenor Open, (First prize) Grosvenor Museum, Chester
2021 - Memento Mori, AIR Gallery Altrincham
2021 - Reconnecting; The Sustainability First Art Prize, (Highly Commended) Bermondsey Project Space, London
2021 - Unlocked, celebrating creativity of Outside In artists during lockdown (virtual)
2021 - Choose To Challenge, vitual exhibition celebrating International Women's Day, Chester Bandstand/ Cheshire West and Chester Council
2020 - The Art Of The Mask, Blue Girl Gallery, (first prize winner)
2020 - Home(work), Shim Art Network and Helix Gallery, New York New York USA
2020 - Pandemic Self Portraits, Denver Colerado USA
2020 - The Ty Pawb Open, (People's Prize winner) Wrexham
2020 - The Art of Isolation, Curator's Voice Art Projects, Miami Floria USA
2020 - Sustainability First Art Prize - online exhibition and e-book
2020 - Confined Spaces - online exhibition on Instagram
2020 - Housebound Art - online exhibition on Instagram
2020 - Chester Virtual Bandstand Commission
https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=HubvEtJOUIQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVl1FAphGWQ&t=330s
2020 - Gardens of Earthly Delight - online exhibition on Instagram
2020 - Nice To See You - To See You Nice, University of Chester staff and alumni show, Contemporary Art Space Chester, The Forum, Chester
2018 - A Wish For Northwich - outdoor site specific art installation and workshop as part of the NOW:Northwich Festival, Baron's Quay Square and Northwich Library, Northwich, commissioned by CWAC
2018 - Ecce Iterum: see again, group show with Kate Gater and Alexandru Modoi, Chester Castle, commissioned by CWAC
2017 - Public Launch: FLOAT with Kate Gater, David Cotterrell and Bedwyr Williams, King Charles Tower Gardens, Chester, commissioned by CWAC
2016 - All In One, Piazza Martiri della Libertà, Chiari, Italy
2016 - Art Vend Round Four, commission for the Oriel Wrecsam Gallery, Wrexham
2016 - The Listening Booth; an online sound art exhibition
2015/16 - Art Vend Round Three, commission for the Oriel Wrecsam Gallery, Wrexham
2015 - Staff show, Contemporary Art Space Chester, University of Chester
2014 - MA show, Contemporary Art Space Chester, University of Chester
2014 - Loop: Maria Walker / Estelle Woolley, joint show at Chester Film Co-op Studio 2, Old Odeon, Chester
2014 - MA interim show, Kingsway foyer space, University of Chester
2014 - Matchbox Microcosms: Mini Museum Marvels, Curiovan: Explorium of Natural Wonderment, London et al (travelling gallery)
2014 - MA interim show, Kingsway foyer space, University of Chester
2013 - Open Market, UnDegUn, Wrexham
2013 - Alumni, Contemporary Art Space Chester
2013 - Interim: part 3, Kingsway foyer space, University of Chester
2013 - Wrexham Open, Oriel Wrecsam Gallery, Wrexham
2013 - Above and Below, Yarangall Green Farm, Alvanley Cliff Woodland
2013 - neo:art prize 2013, neo:gallery 22 , Bolton
2013 - Interim: part 2, Kingsway foyer space, University of Chester
2013 - Here | There | Everywhere (part 3) , Oriel Wrecsam Gallery, Wrexham
2013 - Purple, ur:performance , Islington Mill, Salford
2013 - The Grosvenor 10th Annual Open , The Grosvenor Museum , Chester
2013 - Interim, MA show of work in progress , Kingsway Foyer space, University of Chester
2013 - The Macabre and The Beautiful , Funky Aardvark Gallery , Chester
2012 - Here | There | Everywhere (part 2) , Huttons Buildings, Sheffield
2012 - Here | There | Everywhere , Contemporary Art Space Chester, University of Chester
2012 - Here | There | Everywhere (the pop up preview) , Contemporary Art Space Chester, University of Chester
2012 - Life, The Universe and Everything, The Funky Aardvark, Chester
2012 - Moon, Islington Mill, Salford
2012 - Stitched, City Road Church, Chester
2012 - White, Islington Mill , Salford
2011 - Free For All, Free For Arts Festival, Piccadilly Place, Manchester
2011 - In The Woods Today, Alvanley Cliff Woodland, Alvanley, Cheshire
2011 - FFAF Art Auction 2011, Common, Manchester
2011 - Expo!, Telford's Warehouse, Chester
2011 - Beyond These Walls, Contemporary Art Space Chester, University Of Chester
2011 - Memory Blanks, Axis Arts Centre, MMU Cheshire
2011 - Panoply, Piccadilly Place, Manchester
2011 - The Exchange , Neals Yard Galleries, St Johns Street, Chester
2011 - Wunderland, TactileBOSCH Gallery, Cardiff
2010 - The Conversation, Christ Church, Chester
2010 - Intro: The University Of Chester Fine Art and Photography Degree Show, The CUBE Gallery, Manchester
2010 - Intro: The University Of Chester Fine Art and Photography Degree Show, University Of Chester, Kingsway Campus
2010 - Mill 24, Islington Mill, Salford
2009 - Opaque, University Of Chester, Kingsway Campus
Solo exhibitions
2020 - Pandemic Nature Masks, minature gallery curated by A Cardboard Monkey
2009 - All Things Bright And Beautiful, Nantwich Museum, Cheshire
2008 - Indigo Diminuendo, Nantwich Library, Cheshire
Curated projects
2021 - Choose To Challenge, vitual exhibition celebrating International Women's Day, Chester Bandstand/ Cheshire West and Chester Council
2020 - Pandemic Nature Masks, virtual instagram gallery showing nature inspired face coverings from all over the globe @pandemicnaturemasks
2018 - Ecce Iterum: see again, group show with Kate Gater and Alexandru Modoi, Chester Castle
2014 - Loop: Maria Walker and Estelle Woolley, RE:New Development project, Chester
2011 - Expo!, Telford's Warehouse, Chester
2011 - Beyond These Walls, Contemporary Art Space Chester, Chester
2010 - The Conversation, Christ Church, Chester
Live/Performance
2013 - Tonewood A site specific performance in collaboration with Rob Maclese and Oscar South, for Above and Below
2012 - Stitched Performance collaboration with musician Emily Warren and tenants of The Chester Link), City Road Church, Chester
2012 - Summertime (Gershwin arr. Estelle Woolley - experimental performance), Oriel Wrexham Gallery
2011 - Summertime (Gershwin arr. Estelle Woolley - experimental performance), Expo! Telford's Warehouse
2009 - Untitled Experimental clarinet performance with Stephen Maxwell-Campbell, Islington Mill, Salford
2005 - Performance of Alan Ridout's Clarinet Concertino accompanied by The Northern Chamber Orchestra. St Michael's Church, Coppenhall
Workshops
2024 - Saltation, University of Chester
2024 - Nest, Chester Life Drawing
2023 - Chester Life Drawing, visiting tutor and guest Artist
2023 - Sculptural Assemblage, The Grosvenor Museum
2022 - Elders Festival, Storyhouse
2021 - Autumn Headdress workshops - The Nest, Chester
2021 - Ty Pawb Family Art Club - a series of video and worksheet demonstrations
2020 - Leaf Crown Workshop - a series of foraging art workshops in primary schools for Ludus Dance
2018 - A Wish For Northwich - installation and childrens Fun Palace workshop at NOW: Northwich Festival, upcycling waste plastic materials
2018 - Family art workshops for Ecce Iterum, Chester Castle
2015 -2020- Weekly art and craft workshop facilitator working in a therapeuting setting for the tenants of the Chester Link
2012 - Art workshop facilitator for the tenants of the Chester Link for a one off painting project
2011 - 2015: Ceramics, art and crafts workshop facilitator. The Spotty Pig Craft Cafe, Chester
2010 - Ceramic painting workshop facilitator, Ceramic Cafe Chester, Chester
2010-2020: Music workshop facilitator working in a therapeutic setting with the tenants of the Chester Link
2010 - Music, art and poetry workshop assistant and facilitator, Northgate Locks day care centre, Chester
Talks/ Lectures
2022-present - Visiting Lecturer in Fine Art, University of Chester
2022 - Q&A with Luke Moore for my Refresh commission Fashion On The Rows
2020 - Interview with Sustainability First Art Prize https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=L5621NtoEHM&feature=emb_logo
2020 - Interviews with Luke Moore about my Chester Virtual Bandstand Commission https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HubvEtJOUIQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVl1FAphGWQ&t=330s
2016 - Artist Talk for 1st year students, lecture theatre, University of Chester
2013 - Artist Talk, MA symposium, University of Chester
Residencies
2022-23 - AA2A Residency, University Of Chester
2021-22 - AA2A Residency, University Of Chester
2019 - Grizedale Arts - resident artist at Lawson Park
2015 - Resident artist on the ARIAD scheme. This provided use of the facilities, studio space, student mentoring opportunities, staff group critiques and culminated in a group staff show. University of Chester
2011/12 - Artist in residence alongside the AA2A scheme, University of Chester
2010 - Artist in residence, Christ Church, Chester
2003 - Young Artists In Italy, Selected Artists from Cheshire Schools (9 day residency), Florence
Projects
2011 - 2018: Project manager of Chester Contemporary Artists, Woodhouse Studios, Chester
2010 - Chester Artist Collective (co-manager), Christ Church, Chester
2010 - Project co-ordinator for a mural with students and service users of Canal Street House, Chester
Commissions
2024 - Nest, Chester Life Drawing
2023 - Parasite Man at Chester Life Drawing with Explorist, DYCP Arts Council England
2022 - Fashion On The Rows, Chester Refresh, Cheshire West and Chester Council
2020 - Pandemic Nature Masks, CWAC
2018 - A Wish For Northwich, CWAC
Other related experience
2022 - Judge for Cheshire Voluntary Arts Awards
2021 - Judge for The Wales Open, Theatr Clewyd
2009 - Artist assistant to Susie MacMurray, 'Tempus Mutatum' and 'Widow', Nottingham Castle and Islington Mill
2009 - Assistant to the curator and the educational officer, Nantwich Museum, Cheshire
Qualifications and training
2017 - FLOAT professional development mentoring with David Cotterrell, Bedwyr Williams and Nayan Kulkarni, Cheshire West and Chester Council funded by Arts Council England
2014/15 - MA Fine Art (pass with Distinction), University Of Chester
2010 - BA Fine Art (First Class Hons), University Of Chester