Approved: 02.01.2014

Alec Stevens

Artist, Gallery educator, Graphic designer, Maker, Researcher

Approved: 02.01.2014

My work is about revealing a playful quality in the daily world around us. I fuse craft practice (in particular, fine wood carving) and fine art thinking to create works which are humorous, revealing and thought-provoking. While exploring ideas, whether linked to a specific historic location or to the urban setting, I use wood and emerging technology to create dramatic experiences that unlock hidden or overlooked narratives.

The artwork I make is grounded in the ability to connect the onlooker with a story in the medium of wood, woods materiality and my makers touch. Identifying connections with wood and using them as the bases of research then making is a powerful technique I have developed over the past 10 years. I have honed this skill through my many heritage projects within the National Trust, museums and corporate clients.

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    Artist Statement

    My work is about revealing a playful quality in the daily world around us. I fuse craft practice (in particular, fine wood carving) and fine art thinking to create works which are humorous, revealing and thought-provoking. While exploring ideas, whether linked to a specific historic location or to the urban setting, I use wood and emerging technology to create dramatic experiences that unlock hidden or overlooked narratives.

    The artwork I make is grounded in the ability to connect the onlooker with a story in the medium of wood, woods materiality and my makers touch. Identifying connections with wood and using them as the bases of research then making is a powerful technique I have developed over the past 10 years. I have honed this skill through my many heritage projects within the National Trust, museums and corporate clients.

     

    I am a resident artist with the Pervasive Media Studio within Watershed, Bristol’s supportive community of people committed to exploring the connections between art and technology. As a studio resident I am fusing the high tech and the high craftsmanship associated with being a maker. I am being supported conceptually and logistically by their creative producer team and technological staffing to help develop and deliver ambitious scalable projects. My work has resulted in experiences that ground the viewer through the physical craftsmanship of the objects I make and elevate them concept and story using technology.

    CV & Education

    Alec Stevens 

    Artist ~ Sculptor ~ Researcher

    e: [email protected] w: www.alecstevens.co.uk

    t: UK: 00447546576400

    Profile
    My work is about revealing a certain playful quality in the daily world around us. I fuse craft practice (in particular, fine wood carving) and fine art ideas to create works which are humorous, revealing and thought-provoking. While exploring concepts, whether linked to a specific historic location or to the urban setting, I use wood and emerging technology to create dramatic experiences that unlock hidden or overlooked narratives.
    I have made nine sculptural installations within four National Trust properties; Nymans in Sussex, The Vyne in
    Hampshire, Penrhyn Castle in North Wales, and Felbrigg Hall in Norfolk. I have been Artist in Residence within
    two of these properties.
    I am currently a Resident Artist at the Pervasive Media Studio in Bristol.
    I am co-founder of ‘Polari Press’ a queer publication house exploring queer identity, language and culture
    through the medium of print, performance and exhibition.
    I currently live and work in Bristol where I hold a sculpture workshop within BV Studios.


    Selected Exhibitions (full list available on request)
    2020
    Paradox, London Wetland Centre, 2020-2021. (Residency, Commission / Group)
    2019
    Perv, Pervasive Media Studio, Bristol, 19th Nov 2019. (Solo)
    Perv, ‘Room With A View’ Residency Show, Montmartre, Paris, 2nd Nov 2019. (Solo)
    RWA Sculpture Open Exhibition, RWA, Bristol, 16th March - 2 June 2019. (Group)
    Anderswo ist Hier: Elsewhere is Here, Centrespace Gallery, Bristol, 8th July - 20th March 2019. (Group)
    2018
    New York Queer Zine Fair, The Center : LGBT Community Center, New York, 12th-14th October 2018. (Group)
    Elsewhere is Here : Anderswo ist Hier, TURBA Gallery, Hanover, Germany, 12th July - 12th August 2018. (Group)
    The Paris Ass Book Fair, Palais de Tokyo, Paris, 16th - 18th March 2018. (Group)
    Shelves, Cabinets, Closets, practice.gallery, Paris, 15th March 2018. (Group)
    New Talent Residency Showcase, Watershed, Bristol, 13th March 2018 (Residency/Group)
    2017
    The Makers, Felbrigg Hall, Norfolk, 21st April - 30th Oct 2017. (Residency, Commission / Group)
    The Paris Ass Book Fair, Arts Factory, Paris, 10th - 12th March 2017. (Group)
    2016
    Pattern: Found, Exchanged, Unravelled- Bath Art Fringe, Bath, 27th May- 3rd Sept 2016. (Group)
    Tall Tales / Tiny Tavern - Royal Tunbridge Wells Museum and Art Gallery, 28th Apr - 3rd Sept 2016. (Residency / Solo
    show)
    2015
    Expressions of Penrhyn Castle- Penrhyn Castle, Bangor, 11th Sept - 16th Oct 2015. (Group)
    Leaving Home- CAA Gallery, London, 16th April - 31st May 2015. (Group)
    2014
    Collaborate- Manchester Craft and Design Centre, Manchester, 17th July-13th Sept 2014. (Group)
    Craft Emergency- Aspex Gallery, Portsmouth, 11th Nov- 20th Jan 2014. (Group)
    2013
    Museum for Neil- Hawson Memorial Winter Residency, Jedburgh, 9th-10th Dec 2013. (Solo & Residency)
    Growing- The National Centre for Craft & Design, Sleaford, 20th July- 29th Sept 2013. (Group & Residency)
    Unravelling the Vyne- The Vyne House & Gardens, Basingstoke, 28th June- 22nd Dec 2013. (Group & Commission)
    2012
    Making It!- Winchester Discovery Centre, Winchester, 11th-14th Oct 2012. (Group & Commission)
    Unravelling Nymans House- Nymans House, Haywards Heath, 4th May- 31st Oct 2012. (Group & Commission)

     

    Residency
    West Dean College Residency - West Dean College - Winchester. 2020
    Paradox Artist Residency - London Wetland Centre - London. 2019/2020
    Room With A View Residency - Montmartre - Paris, France. 2019
    New Talents Residency - Watershed’s Pervasive Media Studio - Bristol. 2018
    The National Trust’s Felbrigg Hall Artist in Residence - Norfolk. 2016
    Tunbridge Wells Museum and Art Gallery Artist / Writer in Residence - Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. 2016
    The National Trust’s Penrhyn Castle / Arts Council Wales Artists in Residence - Bangor, North Wales. 2015
    Timothy Hawson Memorial Winter Residency - Jedburgh, Scotland. 2013
    The National Centre for Craft & Design Growing Residency - Sleaford. 2013


    Education
    3D Materials Practice Ba (Hons), University of Brighton 2008-2011, 2:1


    References
    Victoria Tillotson, Creative Producer for Watershed, [email protected]
    Sara Roberts, Curator for National Trust and Arts Council of Wales, [email protected]


    Workshops, Talks & Performances
    The Makers Round Table Discussion, Norwich University of the Arts, Norwich, 2017 (Talk)
    How to Carve a Rocket, Men’s Shed, Norwich, 2017 (Workshop)
    I am Making Art, Spike Island Gallery, Bristol, 2017 (Workshop)
    Tainted Tales, Royal Tunbridge Wells Museum and Art Gallery, 2016 (Performance)
    Meet the Makers, CAA Gallery, London. 2015 (Talk)


    Publications, Press & Television
    2019
    ITV Local News Feature, Feb 28th 2019
    ITV Artist of the week, Feb 25th 2019
    2017
    The Times: Photo and Description, April 21st 2017
    The Makers: Exhibition Catalogue, April 2017
    2013
    Crafts Magazine (UK): Issue 244 Sept/Oct 2013. Sara Roberts
    Arts Council (UK) Making It Local: what does this mean in the context of contemporary craft? 2013. Dr Julie Brown
    Crafts Magazine (UK): Issue 243 July/Aug 2013. Pamela Buxton
    House & Garden (UK): July 2013. Jessica Doyle
    Making Stories: Retrospective Exhibition Book for Making It!, July 2013. Alice Kettle
    Unravelling The Vyne: Exhibition Book, 2013. Jill Seddon
    2012
    Unravelling Nymans: Exhibition Book, 2012. Geraldine Rudge
    AN Magazine (UK): June 2012. Frances Lord
    Crafts Magazine (UK): Issue 236, May/June 2012. Teleri Lloyd-Jones
    Selvedge Magazine (UK): Issue 46, May/June 2012. Amanda Bright
    Craft and Design (UK): Issue 219, Jan/Feb 2012


    Prizes & Awards
    Shortlisted for Jerwood Makers Prize. 2018
    Shortlisted for Perrier-Jouët Arts Salon Prize. 2015
    Shortlisted for Craft Emergency Prize, Aspex Gallery. 2013


    Commissioners & Collectors
    National Trust England & Wales
    Unravelled Arts

    The National Centre for Craft and
    Design
    M/M Paris

    West Dean Estate
    New York’s ICP Museum