Artist Member Vanessa Lawrence
Artist MemberDetails
| First Name | Vanessa |
| Last Name | Lawrence |
| Username | Vanessa |
| Website | |
| Region | Ayrshire & Arran |
| Disciplines | Drawing, Painting, Sculpture |
| Themes | Figurative |
Statement
| Statement | My practice has gone from predominantly painting for many years, having been my chosen field during my studies at the New York Studio School of Drawing, Painting and Sculpture, to focusing on my love for construction and the 3-dimensional form. The physical process of building up a form and holding it in my hands as it comes to life is what really draws me to sculpture. Wire and pliers are the tools for creating my sculptures based on the human figure as well as wildlife. The dialogue created when working with the figure really excites me and ability to tell a story through sculpture and how its environment can influence that story are all important components to the approach of my practice. These sculptures have been commissioned both privately as well as for large scale public art commissions.
Although sculptures are the starting point, two-dimensional work is still very much a part of my process. Once completed, playing with light and shadow, these sculptures go on to influence drawings and paintings on to a variety of surfaces. A continuous curiosity for experimenting, the play element is a huge part of the way I work, with the process being just as exciting as the final piece. One work can evolve into a whole series of works, which as the maker, keeps the whole practice exciting and open ended.√ |
Biography
| Biography | Growing up in South Ayrshire, Vanessa began her studies in 1993 with a 9-month drawing and painting program at Lorenze De Medici, School of Art, Florence. Moving to Switzerland shortly after where she worked and painted for a few years, till 1998 when she obtained an 18-month sponsorship to attend the New York Studio School of Drawing, Painting, and Sculpture. Receiving scholarships from the school enabled Vanessa to complete the three-year program, including a 4-month exchange in autumn 2000 to Ecole de Beaux-Arts, Marseille. After graduating from the Studio School, Vanessa was accepted on the Studioscape Residency program, run by the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, on the 91st Floor, North Tower of the Twin Towers. The residency tragically ended on September 11th, the effects of which forced Vanessa to return to Scotland, and latterly back to Ayrshire where she continues to work and teach art classes. AWARDS 2025 The Lauder Award – Glasgow Society of Women Artists Annual Exhibition, Maclaurin Gallery 2024 The Jan Bruce Award – Glasgow Society of Women Artists Annual Exhibition, The Lillie Gallery 2023 Creative Scotland Visual Arts and Craft Makers Award (VACMA) 2018 Creative Scotland Visual Arts and Craft Makers Award (VACMA) PUBLIC ART COMMISSIOONS 2024 ‘Jonet’ Life size wire sculpture of seated figure, representing women and men accused of witchcraft in South Ayrshire. Cutty Sark, Ayr 2023 Hotel Marriot, Glasgow – Installation of three life size wire figures within the reception area. 2022 Raise the Roof Perth – Part of Scotlands Year of Stories. Twenty life size wire women celebrating stories of incredible women from Perth and Kinross throughout time. 2021 Fifty life size wire figures used for social distancing within the James McCune Smith Learning Hub, University of Glasgow. EXHIBITIONS 2025 Glasgow Society of Women Artists Annual Exhibition, Maclaurin Art Gallery. Caol Ruadh Sculpture Park Spring Exhibition, Colintraive 2024 Glasgow Society of Women Artists Annual Exhibiton– The Lillie Art Gallery, Milngavie Autumn/Winter Exhibition – Glenapp Castle, Ballantrae Visual Arts Scotland – Now & Then (Centenary Show Part 2) Dalkeith Palace, Edinburgh Spring Art Exhibition – Kirkhill House, Colmonell A Space to Grow – Craft Town Scotland, Barony Centre, West Kilbride 2023 Society of Scottish Artists – 125th Annual Exhibition, Maclaurin Art Gallery Caol Ruadh Sculpture Park – Summer Exhibition WEST – Visual Arts Scotland, The Briggait, Glasgow Open Art Exhibition – The Dick Institute, Kilmarnock A Sense of Place – Maclaurin Art Gallery, Ayr 2022 Memories and Dreams – Electric Brae Gallery Creative Resillience – Scene but not Heard –Yardlife Galley, SWG3, Glasgow Big Art Show – Outspoken Arts, Art Department, Paisley Story of an Artist– The Barony Centre, Crafttown Scotland, West Kilbride Carrick Artists Collective– The Smiddy Gallery, Culzean 2021 Alternative Giving– Christmas Exhibition, The Barony Centre, Crafttown Scotland, West Kilbride ‘For Cop’s Sake’ – Skate Art Show, raising funds and awareness of climate change throughout COP26, Glasgow Carrick Art Trial- The Smiddy Gallery, Ayrshire 2020 ‘In To The Light’ – The Maclaurin Art Gallery, Ayrshire Paisley Art Institute– 132nd Annual Online Exhibition 2019 Connections – New York Studio School Alumni Europe, Gerald Moore Gallery, London Paisley Art Institute – 131st Annual Exhibition, Paisley Group Show- Doyle Arts, Glasgow Alumni Invitational – New York Studio School, New York Yardworks- SWG3, Glasgow re:decorate – Jam in a Jar, London 2018 Autumn Exhibition- Electric Brae Gallery, Ayrshire Annual Festive Exhibition- Bar Gandolfi, Glasgow Christmas Exhibition- Smithy Gallery, Blanefield 2017 Christmas Exhibition- Smithy Gallery, Blanefield Sombre Sincerities – Bar Gandolfi, Glasgow Makers and Collectors- SWG3, Glasgow 2016 Christmas Show – Bar Gandolfi, Glasgow 2013 Affordable Art Exhibition – Smithy Gallery, Blanefield 2012 Christmas Exhibition – Rowan Gallery, Helensburgh 2006 Art Futures- Millennium Hotel, Glasgow 2003 Paisley Art Institute – 115th Annual Art Exhibition, Paisley 2002 Re-Imagining New York – The North Dakota Museum of Art, Grand Falks, North Dakota |