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"Quarter Acre Series - No 1" by Neil Carroll
Oil on canvas 80x100cm
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"There
is certainly a duality in my work of, on the one hand, the
light on the landscape, allotments, and pigeon cots, and
on the other hand, the common thread running through it
all, is that it is home, where I come from, where I grew
up. The memories and my family background relating to this
particular place and the associations attached are what
feed and fuel all of my work.
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It's the place,
and its ever changing moods, coupled with my need to put down
what I feel for it, that I think gives my work its soul and
substance. The magnetic attraction of the place for me is
very powerful, much like the homing pigeon returning back
to its own particular spot.
The changing light
and weather conditions mean that the same place always looks
fresh, interesting and different. The skies at Rhymney are
always outstanding, the way the sun and clouds move over the
landscape, picking out bright spots and casting huge moving
shadows is something I find compelling. I can stand in one
spot and paint a different image every time I work.
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"Quarter Acre Series - Number 3" by Neil Carroll
Oil on canvas 41x51cm
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The
small scale hand made structures in the allotments, crafted
with found materials, and painted in colours of available
spare paint pots, fascinate me. There is a real culture there,
and they have been developed in the same place for over 60
years. The shapes and patterns of the sheds and pigeon cots,
and the way they fit together, and in with the surroundings,
is something that I grew up with and have always been interested
in. From time to time the sheds and cots are taken apart,
moved, or re-arranged, re-structured and painted in fresh
colours. This ever changing array of Welsh Valleys culture
is a very vibrant subject for me."
Neil Carroll
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An important source of influence and inspiration for Neil
has been the Rhymney poet Idris Davies, famous for his "Bells
of Rhymney" poem (turned into a song by Pete Seeger
and covered by the Byrds and Bob Dylan). His paintings,
like Idris' poems, are based upon a particular place and
time.
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"Quarter Acre Series - Number 5" (detail) |
Neil Carroll
is also influenced by the work of American artists Winslow
Homer, Edward Hopper through to Andrew Wyeth.
EDUCATION:
Neil Carroll was educated at Bedwellty Grammar School, Newport
School of Art and UWIC in Cardiff.
He has a first-class BA(Hons) in Illustration and a Postgraduate
Art Teacher's Certificate (University of Wales).
EVENTS:
BBC Wales Arts Correspondent Jon Gower recorded a half-hour
programme about Neil's work for "First Hand",
(Radio Wales Arts Show) broadcast in October 2001.
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EXHIBITIONS:
2002 Welsh Artist of the Year, St. Davids Hall, Cardiff.
2001 Albany Gallery, Cardiff.
2001 National Eisteddfod of Wales - Denbigh.
2001 Welsh Artist of the Year, St. Davids Hall, Cardiff.
1999 "After the Bell" exhibition of past
& present school staff, Ross-on-Wye.
1997 Staff & Sixth Form Exhibition, Ross-on-Wye.
1996 Albany Gallery, Cardiff (Summer Exhibition).
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"Quarter Acre Series - Number 4"
Acrylic on canvas 51x61cm |
1995 The
Laing Art Exhibition, Old Library Arts Centre, Cardiff.
1986 South Glamorgan Young Artists (work purchased
by County Council).
1985 Readers'
Digest/Association of Illustrators Exhibition, Covent Garden,
London.
1984 Rubicon Dance Centre, Cardiff.
1984 "Children" Exhibition, St.David's
Hall, Cardiff.
1980 Welsh Group Exhibition (also '84 & '82).
1980 Represented Newport School of Art at the British
Graduates Show, Central School of Art, London.
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"Quarter Acre Series - Number 6"
Acrylic on canvas 41x51cm |
"Quarter Acre Series - Number 2"
Acrylic on canvas 25x30cm |
To
contact the artist:
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E-mail:
neilcarrollart@hotmail.com
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NEIL CARROLL
