Barbara Karn
Starting my career as a painter of landscape, my main subject has now moved towards the human figure. I have spent many years painting and drawing a wide range of subject matter, much of that time feeling I was searching for a main topic, theme or motif by which I could be identified. What motivates me is a fascination for life and all the forms it takes. My art has been an exploration of life, of the self and searching for connections with that self through other beings, in particular other humans.
My study of figures, although persistent, is not scientific. My work with models involves a process, which is a three way offering, what I have in myself, what I find in the model and what appears on the paper as a result. Drawing other people widens my experience of what it is to be human, and each figure drawing, I hope, says something about that.
As I am not concerned with creating a likeness of any particular person, the drawings show the figure as a symbol to encourage a connection with human feelings. In that respect I have more in common with medieval and primitive art than that of the post renaissance.
Often a character or attitude emerges from the person in the drawing so I have begun to put them in a setting to create a narrative.
As an artist I feel there is still a great deal of work for me to do. I know the non-verbal image is powerful, and we are constantly bombarded with images to seduce us or persuade us to think a certain way. What I would like to achieve in my image making is a view of the world as I find it: a mixture of awkwardness and grace. I realise now it is not my identity that is important, but to be an honest witness to my period of existence.
Barbara Karn 2005
QUALIFICATIONS
2001
1994-1996
1984-1987
1982-1984 |
Portland Sculpture Trust, Tout Quarry, Portland, Dorset Stone Carving
Porthmeor Printmakers St Ives Cornwall
Glos College of Arts & Technology, Cheltenham. BA hons. Fine Art Painting
Trowbridge College, Wilts. Arts Foundation |
SOLO SHOWS
2005
2004
2003
2002
2002
2001
2000
1999
1998
1995
1994
1990
1990
1989
1988
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St Elwyns Chruch, Hayle
Lang Gallery, London
Truro Cathedral, Truro
Archie Browns Gallery, Penzance
The Tolcarne Inn, Newlyn
The Promenade Gallery, Penzance
Archie Browns Gallery, Penzance
The School House, Morvah
Exeter University Geological Museam, Cornwall
Michelangelo's, Penzance
Victoria Studios, Penzance
The Devises Gallery, Wilts
Arlington Mill, Glos
The Athenaeum, Wilts
Devises Library, Wilts |
GROUP SHOWS
2005
2005
2004
2004
2004
2004
2003
2003
2003
2002
2000
2000
2000-2001
1999
1999
1999
1998-1999
1997
1994
1993
1993
1992-1994
1992-1994
1993
1992
1989
1988
1980-1982
1975-1982
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The Art House, Bradford on Avon
The Colour Gallery, Great Bedwyn
Wine Street Gallery, Devises
Vitreous Contemporary Art, Truro
Contour Contemporary Art, Newlyn
The Goldfish Bowl, Penzance
Avalon, Marazion
Veryan Galleries, Veryan
Market House Gallery, Marazion
The Red Gallery, Thame
Fulcrum Gallery, Perranuthnoe
Dick The Dog, Penzance
Eclipse Gallery, Penzance
Goldsithney Gallery, Goldsithney
Out of the Blue, Marazion
The School House, Morvah
Printmakers Gallery, St Ives
Newlyn Society of Artists, Newlyn Art Gallery, Newlyn
Wills Lane Gallery, St Ives
Plumbline Gallery, St Ives
New Craftsman, St Ives
Porthmeor Gallery, St Ives
Taking Space, Island Centre, St Ives
The Picture House, St Ives
Contemporary Gallery, Penzance
Thomsons Gallery, London
Cross Tree Gallery, Glos
Lawrence Society of Artists, Wilts
Chipping Camden Art Gallery, Glos |
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