Alex McIntyre makes abstract landscapes using ink and gesso on marine ply. Her work is inspired by walking and running which enables the close, embodied observation of changes of light, land and sky connected with breath and movement. Whilst making in the studio she tries to re-capture an impression of a particular journey. The creative process then parallels the original journey resulting in a series of visual discoveries led by interactions with materials. The completed works are a conversation between the pictorial surface, materials and the memory of movement and places. Recurring themes include explorations of space, light, movement and stillness, noise and silence.
Alex McIntyre makes abstract landscapes using ink and gesso on marine ply. Her work is inspired by walking and running which enables the close, embodied observation of changes of light, land and sky connected with breath and movement. Whilst making in the studio she tries to re-capture an impression of a particular journey. The creative process then parallels the original journey resulting in a series of visual discoveries led by interactions with materials. The completed works are a conversation between the pictorial surface, materials and the memory of movement and places. Recurring themes include explorations of space, light, movement and stillness, noise and silence.
In 2016, Alex completed a 5 year artist fellowship with Digswell Arts (www.digswellartstrust.com) and set up a new studio space in collaboration with Blackberry Forge Ltd. She is a member of Free Painters and Sculptors. She has held AIR positions with Middlesex University 2008-2010 (with whom she also completed a Masters in Fine art 2007), Brent Museum and Archives (2010-11), Wizard Present Production Company (2012) English National Ballet (2013), and Watford Museum 2014. She has exhibited widely in the UK and has work in collections in France, Norway and the UK. Recent exhibitions include The tenth and eleventh editions of The Other Art Fair, London, 2015 and 2016 Art Fair East, Norwich, 2015 and A Space Between at The Stone Space, 2015. During November 2015 to February 2016 she exhibited with Quercus Gallery in Bath. Alex is co-director and co-founder of HertsCreation C.i.C working with the arts to make spaces for thought and innovation and also works as an independent practitioner and community artist currently engaged with Peace Hospice Care and The Funky Pie Company.
After completing an English degree in 2004, Alex initially produced sculpture in fabric, clay and later, modeled and carved plaster. The process of making was physical and closely linked with aspects of drawing, each mark contributing to the sum impression of a piece. Initially fascinated by human interaction, and by our physical and embodied existence in the world, early works focused on the human figure. After moving to Hertfordshire from London in 2014, the figure danced out of her work. No longer surrounded by crowds and people, her subject emphasis shifted focus from the interiority of human relationships to an external connection with the world around her. This exploration of embodied seeing and being in the world is communicated through abstract landscapes referencing sky, land, weather and journeys. For the viewer, the works often provide space to breathe.
Solo Exhibitions
Eloquent Noise, touring with the musical theatre production Soul Sister in 2012
A Gathering, Tradition at Beaufort House, London, 2010
Sinuous Bodies, Daphne Du Maurier Festival at St Winnow, St Veep, St Brevita, Cornwall. 2010
Aegis, Haileybury, Hertfordshire 2009
Untitled, Harpenden Building Society at Leighton Buzzard, Radlett, and Harpenden 2008-2009
Group Exhibitions
Transition, The Stone Space Gallery, London with Alexandra Harley and Alex McIntyre
The Other Art Fair, April 2016
The Other Art Fair, October 2015
Art Fair East, St Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, June 2015
New Works by Ayre, McIntyre and Wax, Fenners Project Space, Digswell Arts March 2015
Line and Location, Space2 Gallery, Watford Museum with artist Ross Loveday September-October 2014
Nothing, Parndon Mill Gallery, August - September 2014
DAT Forge Exhibition, Digswell Arts Trust Open Studios, Digswell, May 2014
Beyond Boundaries, Free Painters and Sculptors, Menier Gallery December 2013
New London Artists, St Anne's, December 2013
6x6: Six Artists, Six Visions, Artisan Gallery, September - October 2013
East Finchley Arts Festival, All Saints Church, September 2013
DAT Forge Exhibition, Digswell Arts Trust, May and September 2013
Works On Paper, Free Painters and Sculptors, Espacio Gallery May 2013
Art Van Go, Knebworth Jan-March 2013
Eastern Approaches, UH Galleries 2012-13
DAT forge Exhibition, Digswell Arts Trust Open Studios, Digswell 2012
Six Nails, The Four Seasons in association with Creative Cricklewood June 2012
A Sense of Self, Letchworth Arts Centre 2012
The Big Soup, Harlesden Gallery, April 2012
Willesden High Road, Past Present and Future, Brent Museum and Archives March – June 2012
DAT Forge Exhibition, Digswell Arts Trust, May and September 2012,
Art in a different space, launch of Brent ‘s Public Art Programme at Willesden Library Centre, 2011
DAT Forge Exhibition, Digswell Arts Trust Open Studios, Digswell 2011
Sculpture in the Garden, Godinton House, Ashford, 2011
Delineation: contemporary dialogues with drawing, TBC Artist’s Collective, the Crypt 2010
Kaleid, No More Grey Project Space, London, UK 2009
Ice Twice Gallery, Olney, UK 2009
New Art Works Galleries, Newcastle, UK, 2009
Vice Chancellor’s Winter Reception, Middlesex University, 2007
Making Faces, the Forum, Norwich, UK sculptural work in an installation by Keith Piper 2006
Commissions and awards
Loop Construction Prize, Eastern Approaches 2012
Raising money for Lotus Children’s Centre, Mongolia 2010
Private Commission, Pippa Rothenberg 2010
Private Commission, Nicholas Jardine 2008
Residencies and Fellowships
2013 Ballet:Fused English National Ballet in collaboration with Brent Council – research residency drawing during rehearsals.
2012 Wizard Presents Production Company
Research residency drawing during rehearsals towards final touring exhibition of works.
2012 ‘Make your mark’, Greenwich and Lewisham Young People’s Theatre Artist generating collaborative drawing conversations on aspiration with families from diverse communities.
2012 The Map Consortium and Parsloes Primary School Artist and curator questioning movement within the school environment through sculptural installation of work.
2011-12 AIR Brent Museum and Archives (in collaboration with poet Vicky Wilson)
2011-2016 Fellowship, Digswell Arts Trust
2008-2010 AIR Middlesex University
Qualifications and training
Masters MA Fine Art (Merit) Middlesex University 2005-2007
Degree: BA (2:1) in English Birmingham University 2001-2004
2015 Clore Emerging Cultural Leaders programme
2014 Pro-Action Level 1 Child Protection Training
2011 Storytelling with Children, Danyah Miller
2010 Working in SEN Schools, Theatre Resource
2010 Sculpting a Living, Royal British Society for Sculptors
2010 Student Centred education, John Palliser
2010 Bronze and silver arts award advisor, Arts Award
2010 Curriculum innovation for primary and secondary, EXCITE
2009-10 Relationship based teaching and learning, The Wellbeing Programme