Tanya Wood at Aspex Guildhall

About

Drawing Attention

Tanya Wood
Until 3 December 2016

‘Change Here’ - Pencil on Paper (Courtesy of the artist)

Aspex Guildhall is thrilled to present ‘Drawing Attention’, a collection of recent works from Portsmouth based artist Tanya Wood.

Wood is passionate about the act of drawing, and it’s extraordinary ability to communicate to a wide audience with just the humbleness of connecting pencil to paper.

The exhibition contains works that direct the viewers’ attention to common places where people are often left waiting, such as the platform of a train station. It is in these places that Wood also undertakes a close observation of people, and the surface of the structural space; replicating her observations with meticulous rendering.

Every detail and imperfection is faithfully transcribed. The drawings in this exhibition concern the everyday experience of being present, when our lives are often lived in habit and constant flux.

Wood said: “My daily train journey, fascination with surfaces and fondness for people watching came together in this collection of drawings. How many of us pay attention to where we are when routinely between places?”.

The artist received a Distinction for her MA Fine Art studies at the University of Chichester in September 2014, following a First Class BA (Hons) Degree at the same university in 2012. Wood recently returned to the University

as an associate lecturer to Fine Art undergraduates. Her work has been selected for the John Ruskin Prize 2015, Perfectionism at the Griffin Gallery, London 2014, Jerwood Drawing Prize 2012 and the National Open Art Competition 2012.

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For further information please contact ollie@aspex.org.uk / 023 9277 8080 Notes

Aspex

Aspex has a 35-year track record of supporting emerging artists and engaging audiences, through the delivery of a programme of exhibitions, off-site projects and participatory opportunities. Artists such as Mona Hatoum, Richard Wilson and Susan Collis, all internationally acclaimed, received support from Aspex at an early point in their careers. This work has continued with projects including Craft Emergency, an open submission biennial exhibition, offering key opportunities for artist exposure and professional development for designer/makers since its development in 2013.

Since relocating to the waterfront at Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth in 2006, the gallery has focused on finding ways to meaningfully engage its visitors by facilitating connections with artists and revealing the creative process. The participation programme provides activities for toddlers through to pensioners, and its work with children with Special Educational Needs and Autism has been described as exemplary.

www.aspex.org.uk