Stephen Towns
The relationship between rational and intuitive thinking in the creative process is the crux of my practice as an artist, balancing the quite different mental processes involved. I continue to explore different methods of using a systematic working process in conjunction with a more direct response to the emerging artwork as it develops. The apparent conflict between these approaches gives the work a tension that allows me to make work that I could not have produced otherwise. It has enabled me to develop a personal visual language that I view as an equivalent to the condition of music. My fascination is primarily in the object but I also use drawing as an important explorative tool and as artworks in their own right.
~~STEPHEN TOWNS
stephen.towns1@ntlworld.com
Mobile: 07876568303
EDUCATION
B.A. (Fine Art) Exeter College of Art
M.F.A., Reading University (Sculpture)
EMPLOYMENT- COMMISSIONS & CONSULTANCY WORK
I work as a full time artist, I exhibit work, I create/curate exhibitions for Hampshire Sculpture Trust
2011-2016 Site specific project curator, University for the Creative Arts Farnham (see below)
2011-2016 Arts Consultant, Frimley Park Hospital NHS Foundation Trust/King’s Fund and Department of Health “Enhancing the Healing Environment” programme. Garden Project for patients at the end of life. The project won a prestigious BBH Award in the category Best External Space
2009-2012 Wiltshire College, B.A. Fine Art, p/t lecturer
1997-2008 Basingstoke College of Technology, p/t lecturer/course leader in Foundation and Art & Design Access courses respectively
I have work in private collections in the U.K. Ireland and U.S.A.
RECENT & PENDING EXHIBITIONS
2024 “Sensing Space” West Downs Gallery Winchester Group Show
2023 “Synthesis” Lightbox Woking. 2 Person show
2019 "Deconstruction" Mixed sculpture exhibition, Allen Gallery, Alton
2018 “Transform” Hampshire Cultural Trust Creative Genuis project
An exhibition of sculpture inspired by artifacts held in the collection of HCT.
The Westbury museum Gallery, Fareham
2017 “Drawing” The Gallery, Dalkey, Ireland.
2016 “Materials Matter” Bracknell Gallery, South Hill Park Arts Centre.
2014 “Compressed Space” Link Gallery, University of Winchester.
A group show of Hampshire Sculpture Trust members work
2014 Art in the Garden, Sir Harold Hillier Gardens mixed exhibition June-Nov
2014 Solo Exhibition, Link Gallery, University of Winchester Jan – Feb.
“Sculpture, Transformations & Equivalents”
2013 Art in the Gardens, Sir Harold Hillier Gardens. Group show, June – Oct
2013 The Searchers Contemporary Gallery, Bristol. 2 person show of sculpture, entitled
“The Autonomous Object”
2012 “Drawing Towards Sculpture”, THE SHOP, Basingstoke.
2010 “Heft” Group exhibition Winchester Gallery
CURATING
2024 "Sensing Space" West Downs Gallery Winchester
2019 "Deconstruction* Mixed Sculpture exhibition, Allen Gallery, Alton
2018 "Transform" Westbury Manor Gallery, Fareham. A sculpture exhibition in collaboration with Hampshire Cultural Trust and Hampshire Sculpture Trust
2016 Materials Matter” at the Bracknell Gallery, South Hill Park Arts Centre. HST
2011-16 Time Garden Project, Frimley Park Hospital NHS Trust. Site specific project working with B.A. Fine Art students from University for the Creative Arts, Farnham
2014 “Compressed Space”. Link Gallery, University of Winchester, exhibition for Hampshire Sculpture Trust.
2012 “Drawing Towards Sculpture”. "The Shop".
COMMISSIONS
2011-12 Brookvale Community Association. Site specific sculptural interpretation structure
2006 Interior Design projects in Ireland, and Bristol, incorporating commissioned drawings
Basingstoke & Deane, Restoration of Regency Gate, Walled Garden
2005 Basingstoke & Deane Commission for Walled Garden
2002 Basingstoke Heritage Society, Site Specific Interpretation Structure
2000 Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council, Walled Garden Sculptural Signs
MEMBERSHIP
2010-16 Executive Member, Hampshire Sculpture Trust. Organising and curating exhibitions
PUBLICATIONS/RESEARCH
Currently I am working on a research project exploring the decision making process in Fine Art practice.
2011/2016 Time Garden Artworks 2016 pending. Published books documenting project
1979 “Sol Le Witt, A System’s Aesthetic, Thesis published by Exeter College of Art
