Julie Lawrence
Merseyside
I create drawings and paintings which respond to incidental moments of light in the landscape. I explore themes of impermanence and a liminal sense of place and identity
My artwork draws upon the mystical perspective of the visionary landscape tradition. I am based in the Wirral, and I hold a BA (First Class Hons.) and an MA in Fine Art from the University of Chester in 2009. After many years teaching in special Education, I have only recently begun to develop my practice professionally. My most recent exhibitions have included the Pastel Society’s annual open exhibitions at the Mall Galleries in London, where I was awarded the 2023 Yoshimoto prize. I am also really pleased to have recently contributed to the Drawing (Paper) Show catalogue and exhibition at the Bridewell Galleries, as well as the Platforms Project in Athens.
I work predominantly in pastels and water-based media, responding to a daily walk with my dog through local woods and heathland. I am fascinated by the way experiences of changing light and weather influence memory and perception, and while I contemplate the movement of my own shadow passing through the landscape, I consider how this is transformed by memory too.
The work invites notions of impermanence as I focus on the transience of my shadow moving through an ever changing sense of place. The work strives to make tangible a liminal sense of time which hovers between nostalgic association and something unknown.
Qualifications
BA First class ( Hons ) Art with Theology and religious studies, University of Chester
PGCE( Primary) ,University of Chester
Post graduate certificate in Special Needs Education.
MA in fine Art (2009) University of Chester
Awards
The Yoshimoto prize:The Pastel Society 2023 exhibition at the mall galleries, London
Aire Space studios and gallery, solo exhibition award at Coles Gallery, Leeds . 2023
National Open Art competition : North of England Artist of the Year and regional prizewinner 2017-2018
Waterside 1-0 solo micro-commission Manchester ( Solo exhibition and award)
Publications /Features
‘Another View’ On-line Feature spotlight on women landscape painters on wirral. 2024
Drawing Paper Show Liverpool 9th Edition 2023
Exhibitions: ( brief recent overview)
2024
'Home' Fronteer Gallery Sheffield 27th February
Pastel Society 2024 annual open exhibition , The Mall Galleries, London 24th Jan- 10th Feb 2024
Fonteer postcards exhibition 10th-20th January Fronteer gallery, Sheffield
"Sightseers" touring exhibition prosaic projects Sheffield
2023
Coles Gallery, Leeds Solo exhibition (16th November- 8th December 2023)
Platforms project, Athens
Beneath the Earth group exhibition Fronteer Gallery, Sheffield 21st June- 8th Jully
Drawing Paper Show, (publication and exhibition )Bridewell Gallery ,Liverpool July
The Pastel Society, Mall Galleries, London 23rd May- 6th June
Contemporary Landscapes Fronteer Gallery, Sheffield 1st March-22nd March 2022 All the Small Things, Fronteer Gallery, Sheffield 1st March - 22nd March 2023
2022
'The Darkness and the Light' Water street gallery, Open Exhibition ,Todmordon West Yorkshire. 10th November - 29th January 2023
Pastel Society Annual exhibition 16th February -26th February 2022 Mall Galleries, London
Selected relevant past exhibitions
‘Seeing Beckett' Contemporary art space, Chester ( alongside 'Staging Beckett at the Margins' conference Sept 12th) and then Liverpool John Moores University as part of the Liverpool Irish festival 23rd October- 3rd November 20
- MA Graduate show, ‘ Under Construction’ Kingsway, University of Chester, Chester 2009
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