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rmanners@aup.ac.uk

Robert Manners

Lecturer

Robert’s practice moves fluidly between disciplines and has consistently explored and exploited common perceptions of where boundaries between painting, printmaking and drawing begin and end. Studying Mural Design at Chelsea School of Art laid the foundations for a cross-disciplinary practice. A twelve-year hiatus running a successful ceramic tile design and manufacturing company was followed by the completion of an MA in Multi-disciplinary Printmaking at the University of West of England. Painting has always been central to Robert’s practice but this has been significantly influenced by the disciplines and processes of printmaking and collage. Robert’s studio outputs reflect a deep interest in the materiality and physicality of the work itself whilst simultaneously investigating themes of authenticity and modes of understood painting ‘styles’ (the abstract and the representational). Close observation of the materiality of these all these disciplines remains an integral component of his practice. Robert is also actively involved in a number of artist-led organisations and has worked as a curator on a number of arts establishment funded projects in Bristol and in the South West. Current lines of research at Arts University Plymouth are scrutinising recurring themes in his practice. These include questions of authenticity, the use of the readymade (and its influence in the context of modernist and contemporary painting) and boundaries between abstract and representational modes of painting.

Awards & Grants

Research Interests

Research Outcomes

EXHIBITIONS 2018 N-E-W...ideas 2018. Methodist Chapel, Ashburton, Devon 2017 Fathoms Fragments and Fieldwork Greenhill Arts, Moretonhampstead, Devon 2017 Under Construction Forever (part III) Theatre Royal, Plymouth, Devon 2016 Equivalents & Prototypes Art Mill Gallery, Plymouth, Devon 2015 SLOW abstraction (Plymouth Weekender Show), Devon 2015 Affordable Art Fair Transistor Gallery, London 2015 Group Print Show Art Mill Gallery, Plymouth, Devon 2014 MULTIPLIED. Limted Edition Print Fair, Christies, London 2014 Group Painting Show Art Mill Gallery, Plymouth, Devon 2014 Continual Tones & Under Construction Forever (part II) Collaborative show with Tim Didymus N-E-W Ashburton, Devon. 2014 ‘Seascape Refits’ Solo show. Art Room, Topsham, Devon 2014 Affordable Art Fair (London). Coombe Gallery, Dartmouth, Devon 2013 MULTIPLIED Limted Edition Print Fair, Christies, London 2013 ‘It’s all White’ Coombe Farm Gallery, Devon 2012 RE OPEN Royal Society of Printmakers, Bankside, London 2012 Diptych Collaborative show between Spike Print Studio & UWE Print Department 2010 Under Construction Forever (part I) Bristol Museum & Art Gallery (Plinth Project) CONTAINER, Bristol 2010 Solo show Bristol-Lisboa Gallery, Lisbon,Portugal 2010 Solo Show Create Centre, Bristol. (awarded from RWA - Best Regional Artist) 2009 IMPACT 9 International Print Fair, Bristol 2009 RWA Open RWA, Bristol Award: Best Regional Artist 2009 Multiples CONTAINER, Bristol 2008 ‘ONE’ CONTAINER, Bristol CURATORIAL / COLLABORATIVE / RESIDENCY 2018 N-E-W…ideas 2018 Curator for 11 site-specific works for the Old Methodist Chapel in Ashburton – recently purchased and being transformed to Ashburton Arts Centre. See: <a href="http://www.n-e-w.org">www.n-e-w.org</a> 2011 Kestle Barton Manaccan, Lizard, Devon 2010-11 The Plinth Project CONTAINER (Artist Led Project / SCCAP CIC) Organiser & Co-curator for a 12 month commissioned and funded project. 6 artists commissioned to produce new site-specific work responding to an empty plinth located in the main entrance hall of Bristol Museum & Art Gallery. 2008-10 CONTAINER Co-founder and curator of Artist’s Led Project in Bristol. Conceiving & curating: ONE : 5 solo shows. See: <a href="http://www.containerarts.org">www.containerarts.org</a>