Nora Gaston
My work always begins with drawings and sketches either in the studio or on site. These may become art works or be developed into 3D glass. I have used steel in the 3 local public art commissions completed locally.
I am inspired by what is around me but also influenced by the music and poetry based on the subject.
My work has been described as a balance of chaos and control. I agree as I really enjoy when the work struggles to get away from me and I can go with the challenge.
NORA GASTON
Moat House, Boroughbridge Road, Greem Hammerton, YO26 8AD. 01423 339067
www.nbrgaston.uk 07974828211
N.D.D.Belfast College of Art. B.Ed.( Art ) .University of New Brunswick, Canada.
Moved to England in 1967. Lived in Canada from 1977 to 1987. Lived in Saudi Arabia from 1987 to 1990. 1990 returned to N.Ireland. 2007 moved permanently to Norfolk, England
2008-2015 Artistic Director, Belfry Arts Centre, Overstrand, Norfolk.
1991 -2007 Artscare artist in residence with Musgrave Park Hospital. Several large sculptures were commissioned through this programme, including work for several new buildings.
1987-1990; Art Consultant, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
1982-1987; Head of Printmaking and Surface Design, New Brunswick College of Craft and Design.
1979-1982; Art Specialist, District 26 School Board, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada.
1984-1987; Founder member of Gallery Connexion, an artist-run group of studios and gallery, funded by the Canada Council and the Government of New Brunswick.
1990-1994; Appointed to the Visual Arts committee of the Arts Council of N.Ireland.
COMMISSIONS
2012 Fused glass sculpture for presentation. N.Ireland.
2010 Private commission. Fused glass panel.
2009/2010. Sculpture commission for Kelling Park, Norfolk.
2009/2010 Sculpture commission for Holt Country Park, NNDC.
2008/9 Metal sculpture for Mundesley Beach, sponsored by Griffen Landmarks.
2007 Fused Glass panel for Woodstock Clinic, Belfast.
2006 Two sculpture commissions for Lakewood, Bangor, U.C.H.T.
2006 Glass canopy and interior panel for new Renal Unit, UCHT, Belfast.
2006 Two steel and glass sculptures for new Regional Acquired Brain Injury Unit, Belfast
2005 Two memorials, one large window in Belfast City Hall, one large steel sculpture in Londonderry. For DHSS&PS.
2003 Designed window for a Belfast Church.
Wall Hanging for Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Founder Special Olympics.
2001.Designed 8 windows for a building in Canada.
1998. Designed 2 windows for Musgrave Park Hospital.
1996.“Constant Guardian” Sculpture for E.H.S.S.B.Champian House, Linenhall Street, Belfast.
1992 Illustrated Chapter on “school” in a book of poetry “The Wind is a Sumo Wrestler” ISBN 0 903203 05 7
Painting “With Bright Wings Hovering over the Whole Earth” chosen to represent N.B.,Canada at the United Nations in New York to celebrate The International Year of Peace. This painting was bought by Volvo for their Art Collection.
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2017. Anteros Art Centre, Norwich, Norfolk.
2005 Ards Art Centre, Newtownards “Looking back, moving forward”
May; The Market Place, Armagh. “Neutral Natural”
2002 Sept. Invited International artist, Gallery Tengri Umai, Almaty, Kazakhstan.
2000 Ards Art Centre, Newtownards. “Ebb and Flow”
Window installation, Dublin Road Gallery. “Reflection"1993 City of Moncton Art Gallery, New Brunswick, Canada.
Harmony Hill Arts Centre, Lisburn.
1990/1989 Canadian Embassy, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
University of Maine, U.S.A. “Northern Edge”
1987 University of New Brunswick, Canada. “Northern Edge”
Regent Street Craft Gallery, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada. “Cadenza”
1985 Gallery Connexion, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada. “Shields of Tete BreC"
SELECTED GROUP SHOWS
2015/2016 Artworks, Blackthorpe Barn Suffolk.
2016 Haleswoth Arts Galley
2013/2015 Cley Exhibition.
2010 2011 Open Studios, Belfry Arts Centre, Overstrand.
2008 Norfolk Contemporary Art, The Forum, Norwich.
2008 Norwich Castle Open Art Show, Norwich.
2007,2006,2005,2004 Peninsula Art Group. Various venues in N.Ireland and Scotland.
September 2003 “A folded Life” a printed book shown as part of a B.P.W.exhibition in response to Replay’s production “Striking Distance”(about teenage suicides)
July 2003 Print Show in Lessedra Gallery, Bulgaria.
2003/2004 Mini Print exhibition, Spain and France.
Iontas; O.B.G.Belfast, Limerick and Sligo.
“Our Foreign Correspondent”, Ards Art Centre, with Australian artists.
Major Prizewinner, Ulster Arts Club Open Competition.
“Works on Paper” Harmoney Hill Art Centre, Temple Bar, Dublin, Art Centre, Dundalk.1994/5 “Works on Paper”The Gallery Dublin Road, Belfast and Art Centres in Drogheda, Galway and Dublin.
PUBLIC COLLECTIONS
Canada Council Art Bank, Ottawa, Canada.
Government of New Brunswick, Fredericton, Canada.
Arts Council of N.Ireland.
University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, Canada
Centre Communautaire Ste. Anne, Fredericton, Canada.
Cadaques Print Museum, Spain.
Belfast City Council.
Londonderry City Council
Musgrave Park Hospital, Belfast.
Ulster Community Hospitals Trust, Belfast.
National Museum, Almaty, Kazakhstan.
Lessedra Gallery, Bulgaria
CORPORATE COLLECTIONS
Toronto-Dominion Bank, Toronto, Canada.
Dofasco, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Oxford Development Group, Toronto, Canada.
Volvo, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Christ Church Cathedral, Fredericton, Canada
PRIVATE COLLECTIONS.
Mixed media work is in many private collections in Ireland, England, Scotland, Canada, U.S.A.,
Saudi Arabia, France, Kazakhstan,