Pete Mountford
I started in ceramic sculpture in the early 1990's. On my MA in NJ, USA I increased my love of’ Americana’ via the signage and imagery around me. I created monolithic ceramic forms which combined with elements such as photographs , maps and found car reflector lights explored ideas around how transit marked its presence on the landscape and as a link between places.
I moved into painting, drawing in the late 1990's underpinned by an approach of system and chance which meant having a defined structure to work within, whilst also being able to apply endless concepts and approaches within this framework. Using the maths aid of Cuisenaire rods, I associated colours to specific numbers and appropriated these onto an existing theme in sequence
The work has followed the themes of landscape/urban culture and mapping since 2007 often with system and chance being the bedrock. It has also been important for me to frequently utilise the grid, either within a works themselves or and part of multi panel piece where the narrative and dialogue between each module acts as an extra hook to engage the viewer.
I am inspired by using mixed media in my work, be that applying contact with a range of implements and on different surfaces. I find the interplay and dialogue exciting as one decision invokes another problem or direction.
In recent years, I have i have increasingly made work that has responded to The populist turmoil in the western world with my ‘Fighting the Culture Wars’ series. This attempts to visually and conceptually respond to the entrenched political and social divisions in the world and the polarity between the resultant opposing forces and how this isolation and dislocation has inflicted on the human spirit
My critical framework has also been underpinned by my role as an Art Lecturer/Facilitator through often engaging learners in response to my work and also patients with a particapatory task when I exhiibited in a doctors surgery recently.
PETE MOUNTFORD
EDUCATION
- 1997- 2001 Croydon College PGCE Certificate of Education -post compulsory
- 1992-95 Montclair State University: NJ, USA. Master of Arts (in conjunction with Graduate Assistant Scholarship
- 1989-92 Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art, Dundee. B/Des (Hons)
Selected One Person shows
2017 ‘Sunshine on a cloudy day’ Sunshine Project Space, Hove (November)
7 into 6’ Wellbeing Gallery, Hove,
2014 ‘The ties that bind’ Unit 3 Projects, London E3
2012 ‘Mapping time & space’ Unit 3 Projects, London E3
2010 ‘Making sense of change’, The View Tube, London E15
2005 'Continuing Numbered Editions' First Edition @ Canary Wharf, London E14
2002 ‘259 & Drawn’ The Stables Gallery, Brent, London NW2
2000 ‘Colour systems/colour Intuition’ Atavar Gallery. Westfield, NJ, USA
Selected 2/3 Person & Group shows
2022
‘Twenty20’ series of exhibitions at M Galleries, Washington, NJ, USA, plus 2 other shows & ASC, Kennington Project Space, London. (Exhibitor and co curator )
“(Im)Material’ (virtual) exploring tangible and intangible concepts surrounding materials - curated by Curating Futures.
‘Memento Mori’- As part of PASSAGGIATINA Art Residency, 2 shows, Atina, Italy, August & hARTslane Gallery, London SE14, November
2021
Brighton Open House ‘Bellevue 33 on Kemptown trail’,
‘Age of Uncertainty’ (virtual) curated by Fion Gunn, featuring 7 Artists
'Arcadia’ (virtual) Exploring the human connection to nature'- curated by Curating Futures.
2020
‘Worldwide Juried show (virtual), Anton ArtsCentre, MI, USA
2019
Summer in the City’ – Donated 1 work to Save the Children Fund charity exhibition/auction- SCF HQ, London EC1
2018
‘Solo 3’ Shortwave Gallery, London SE16, ¨
‘Art to Brighten your soul’ Ming Gallery, Hove, r
'Hosting Brighton Open House ‘Chez Holland@33’
¨‘Enshrined’ – The Crypt Gallery, LondonNW1, (curated by Rekha Shameer)
2017
‘Art 4 Grenfell’ – Group Auction – RBS & Bonhams, London EC2 (October- Curated by Hercules Fisherman)
Brighton Open House (Host) ‘Chez Holland@33’
‘PASSport Britannia’ – Safehouse 1, London SE15 (curated by Rekha Shameer) .
2016
‘Art on a boat’ – The floating Showroom, NW1
2011
‘Parallax Art Fair’ – with Chris Barlow Fine Art- La Galleria, London SW1
‘Aggregate’- Unit 3 Projects, London, E3
2007
‘Border Line’, Patriothall Gallery @ WASPS, Edinburgh (Artist & Curator)
‘The Prosperous Reapers’ Alma Enterprises, London E2
2006
‘Never Be Seen’, Baxter Gallery, Kingston (Artist & Curator)
‘Drawing 2’ (London bienniale)- The Foundry, London, EC1 (Curated by Giacomo Picca
‘42’, Three Colts Gallery, London, E2 (curated by Sarah Sparkes)
‘Twisted,Cognitive & Sublime’- Art 3, Escape & sun & doves (3 venues, Artist & Curator) ‘Beckham’-World Cup 2006, A&D Gallery, London W1
2005
‘East in 2 West’ Alma Enterprises & Wine Gallery (2 shows, Artist & Curator)) – Nov/Dec ‘Drawing the line’ Orleans House Gallery, Twickenham, London
‘Art on paper’ (with A&D Gallery) - Art Fair, RCA, London
2004
‘Snapper’ Brixton Village, London, SW9 (Artist & curator)
PART-TIME EMPLOYMENT (Art related)
Curator/Organiser of exhibitions of Art 3. 2001 -2007
I set up this artists run group in 2001 with two others.. We organised/Curated around 60 exhibitions in 6 years, including partnerships with other organisations, exhibitions in outside galleries, and an Art consultancy/hire service for business
SELECTED SUMMARY OF TEACHING EXPERIENCE
School Supply Cover (Mainly Art/Media): Various Schools in Brighton area.2017 onwards. Aspire Sussex: Art Tutor ACL Education 2017-2022. MET/Northbrook College- Cover Lecturer Media 2016-17, Croydon College: Lecturer Art & Design 2016, Newham 6th Form College: Lecturer Art & Design 2013-15 West Thames College: Lecturer/Course Leader 2011-13(full time), Bexley College: Lecturer BTEC Art & Design/media 2008-11(full time). Working Men’s College: Lecturer, Visual & Performing Arts, 2007-09 • City University: ‘Explorations of Contemporary Art, 1997 - 2010. • Richmond Adult and Community College: Visiting specialist, Foundation & HNC Fine Art 2000-05. Kensington & Chelsea College: Lecturer Graphic Design & multimedia 1999-2006. WEA - London District: Art tutor for Adults 1997-2014
Workshop Faciliator: In partnership with schools, local community groups and outreach services. Includng English Heritage, Chisenhale Gallery, Point Blank and Chiswick Holiday Courses.
Selected Publications/Broadcasts
- ‘The ArtZine’ issue - featuring work from ‘ Big pharma is watching “us” ‘ series. May 2021
- ???????Interviewed and featured in ‘105 Artists Hands’ book by Cally Tench (image with one of ‘Porthole’ series works)- Launched July 2021
- ‘Art Love magazine’ 1 p14-17, Interview with Artist & focus upon ‘I Can’t breathe/We all breathe’ Aug 2021,
- Solo Magazine/catalogue’ Issue one : featuring work from ‘Porthole’ series. (P50-51) October 2019.
- ‘Q&A with Artist’ with Harry Pye in The Rebel Magazine 17 February 2017
- ‘Art & Lit’ Arsenal FC magazine Feature on artist’s football related work. March 2016
- Meet the Artist’ Surrey Life- profile on work with Silent Pool. February 2014
- ‘A neat little show’ Review of ‘Mapping Time & Space’ exhibition by Matt Brown on ‘The Londonist’ blog, 8 June 2012.
- ‘Arts & Culture’ interview by Lucia Scazzocchio for Shoreditch Radio on ‘Mapping. Time & Space’ Exhibition 17 June 2012.
- ‘Culture hour’ BBC Radio Scotland on ‘Border line’ exhibition – 26 March 2007
- ‘42’ Review by Chris Schuler in The Independent – 15 November 2006
- ’Green Policies’ by Nancy Groves in Kingston Guardian & Surrey Comet - 20 December 2006
- ’Christmas Jeers’ by Robert Cumber in Kingston Informer - 22 December 2006
- 'First Edition has art with science' by Alan Lodge in The Wharf - 20 January 2005
- 'Wider scope pays off’ - by Alan Cork & Jemma Wolter – Paint, Polymers, Colour Journal-May 2003
Collections
UK -: Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art, Dundee, The Museum of Football, Preston., Electric Advertising Group. London W1, The Mobile Community, London SW11
USA -: The Newark Museum, Newark, NJ, Verona High School, Verona, NJ, Cedar Grove High School, Cedar Grove, NJ, Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ,.
Private collections in UK, Europe, USA and Canada
Residencies
PASSAGGI Art Residency. Atina, Italy - with 13 other Artists August 2022
Residencies (Business)
Guest Artist – ‘Lewes Business Expo. 2016: Produced a Monopoly themed canvas in situ, as part of Business Promotion event
Resident Artist - Air Products stand at 2003 European Coatings Show Nuremberg, Germany-