Mary Down
Concepts My work is cross disciplinary, the means and materials determined by the primary idea.Much of my work has come out of research into a family genealogy, in particular the way women are represented in the text of written histories. History as a form of sorting and collecting carries with it issues of differences and exclusion. The absence, silence and disqualification of women in both historical records and in contemporary situations are gaps and ommissions I explore in my work. Cultural and ethical issues influence and underlie my practice. The work comes out of a critical and analytical view, in particular, of gender, race and politics. At the same time I try to make work that is accessible despite an emphasis on formal qualities and an abstract bias. Alongside my main pracice I also make one-off books which combine minimal text with various print media. Typically each project consists of work in a range of different media focused on specific themes. Influences All those 'F' words; family, friends, faith, feminism. Career path Qualifications: 1993 BA Hons, Fine Art (first), University of Hertfordshire 1982 BSc Hons, Sociology (2:1), Hatfield Polytechnic Areas of work: Primary education Secondary education Curating Exhibiting Practice-based research Collections: University of Hertfordshire, East contemporary art collection.
Solo Exhibitions:
2006 - 'For Lelethu', Phillack Church, Hayle Cornwall
2006 - 'For Lelethu', the Salt Gallery, Hayle Cornwall
2004 - Landscapes of Memory, The Salt Gallery, Hayle, Cornwall
1999 - Pocket Purses and Secret Places, Margaret Harvey Gallery, University of Hertfordshire 1998 - Marking Presence, Letchworth Arts Centre
1996 - The Business Centre Gallery, Luton, Bedfordshire
Group Exhibitions:
2020 The Art of Printmaking. Hertford Theatre Gallery
2019 Printmakers and Print. Fenners Gallery Letchworth
2014 - 2019 Open Studios Digswell Arts Digswell Hertfordshire
2014 'Easterlies' Abbey Walk Gallery Grimsby
2014 Turn the Page. The Forum, Norwich.
2013 - 2014 Eastern Approaches. University of Hertfordshire Galleries.
UH Recordings Prize winner.
2013 - East Contemporary Art Collection, UCS Waterfront Gallery,
2011-2014 -Open Studios, Digswell Art Trust, Digswell Hertfordshire
2010 - Artists in Residence@Luton Hoo Walled Garden, Luton Hoo Estate, Bedfordshire LU1 3TQ
2010 - Imaginarium, The New Maynard Gallery, Welwyn Garden City
2010 - Open Studios, Digswell Art Trust, Digswell Hertfordshire
2007 - Herts Open, Margaret HarveyGallery University of Hertfordshire, St Albans
2007 - Id:entity, Westend Arts Centre, Aldershot
2005 - Insiders: art and the box, Canterbury Museum and Art Gallery, Canterbury
2005 - Insiders: art and the box, Inverness Museum & Art Gallery, Inverness
2005 - Insiders: art and the box, Iona Gallery, Kingussie, Scotland
2005 - Insiders: art and the box, St Fergus Gallery, Wick Scotland
2005 - Insiders: art and the box, Swanston Gallery, Thurso
2005 - Insiders: artand the box, Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Aberystwyth
2004 - Artists Open, Margaret Harvey Gallery, St Albans Hertfordshire
2004 - Insiders: art and the box, Quay Arts, Isle of Wight 2004 - Insiders: art and the box, Rugby Museum and Art Gallery, Rugby
2004 - Merging Cultures, Merging Arts, National Gallery of the Cayman Islands
2003 - Insiders Art and the Box, Oriel DaviesGallery, Newtown Powys Wales SY16 2NZ
2001 - Storage and Retrieval, selected works from University of Hertfordshire's permanent collection 2001 - Taking Place, The Place, Letchworth Arts Centre
2000 - OYO, Knebworth Exhibition Centre
1999 - 2000 Ten into One, Boxfield Gallery
1999 - Shadows, Axis, online exhibition
1998 - Artists Open, Margaret Harvey Gallery, University of Hertfordshire
1998 - Artists, St Albans, St Albans Museum
1998 - One Year On, Knebworth Exhibition Centre, Herts
1998 - Parish Maps, Bovingdon
1998 - The Word's the Thing, Stroud House Gallery, Gloscestershire
1997 - 1,000 Words, Horsham Arts Centre
1997 - I Am What I Am, Women's Photographic Network-East, Radlett Centre, Hertfordshire
1996 - Inheritance, Ikon Touring, University of Derby; The Other Place, Stratford; Flaxman Gallery, Staffordshire University
1996 - Martineau Johnson, Birmingham Ikon touring
1996 - New Victoria Theatre, Newcastle under Lyme Ikon touring
1996 - Planning and Environment Deparmtent, County Hall, Hertford
1996 - The Arts Club, London
1996 - The Flaxman Gallery, Staffordshire University
1996 - Wood Green High School, Wednesbury Ikon touring
Residencies:
2010 - Artist in Residence, Luton Hoo Walled Garden, Luton Bedfordshire Site specific 2010 - Artists in Residence@Luton Hoo Walled Garden, Luton Hoo Walled Garden, Luton Hoo Estate, Luton, Harpenden/Luton
Publications:
2014 'Easterlies' Grace & Times / Totem & Taboo / Place & Time. ECA: A Collection for 21st Century Practice
2004 Insiders Art and the Box
1999 - 'Pockets Purses and Secret Places' Neeta Zin Hughes
1995 - Art Review 'Degrees of Importance'
1994 - The Independent ' the taste of things to come?'
Collections:
University of Hertfordshire
East Contemporary Art Collection, UCS