Andrew Coomber
Landscape has always been the primary inspiration for my work in 2 and 3 dimensions.
In 2013 I designed and made the Bardic Crown for the Denbigh National Eisteddfod and in 2016 the crown for the Urdd Eisteddfod in Flint which had the theme of ‘Horizons’
In many ways the Denbigh Crown was a seminal moment in my work. During the visual research undertaken in the Vale of Clwyd I had the opportunity to fly along the Clwydian hills in a light aircraft. The different perspective offered by this experience kindled a thought process informing my study of the relationship of man to the land. The horizon-less and revelatory view offered engagement with imagery and marks created by man over multi-layered time periods. The ‘disappearing ‘ horizon also offered a route to semi-abstraction of shape and form. Reference is made to geology, engineering, agriculture, archaeology, spiritual and religious belief etc
I am always keen to blur the boundaries between ‘fine’ and ‘applied’ art and am currently working on the development of the above themes in two and three dimensions i.e. painting and wearable / non-wearable mixed media objects. There is considerable emphasis on ‘painting’ on aluminium using anodising and dying techniques developed for the Denbigh Crown
Influences - The first inspiration I can remember as a child in Edinburgh was my great uncle the painter Adam Bruce Thomson. Then many other figures in various 'Scottish Schools', McTaggart, Eardley, Huston etc. Globally - most of the cultures of Japan and Africa, Sutherland, Moore, the extraordinarily prolific and multi skilled Riera i Arago from Barcelona. In 'smithing - from Europe - Hiroshi Suzuki, Kevin O'Dwyre, Gerd Rothman, Dorothy Hogg, Michael Rowe. From the USA: Donald Friedlich, Daniel Jocz, Tom Joyce, Rachelle Thiewes and thousands more!
Career path = Studied silversmithing and jewellery, painting and sculpture at Edinburgh College of Art, graduating in 1972. I have run studio / workshops in Edinburgh, Manchester and now North Wales producing 3D objects, jewellery and painting for exhibition and to commission. Previous corporate clients include BP Chemicals, The University of Manchester, Granada TV, The BBC, The Papal Visit Committee 1982, The Guardian Group, Menter a Busnes, Farmers' Union of Wales {Eisteddfod Crown), Harper Adams University and numerous private individuals.
Taught, written and managed applied/fine art programmes at undergraduate and postgraduate level. Considerable experience in writing/delivering Professional Practice modules for such programmes. Latterly, programme leader for Jewellery/Metalwork at North East Wales Institute during which my own work was virtually non existent. Resigned from full time teaching 2002 to spend more time in my studio.
