Bea Gibson | The Work

Statement

Bea Gibson's art explores the raw energy of live music from the audience’s perspective - the surge of anticipation and excitement as the band appears, a unique opportunity to experience music in its purest form, breathing new life into the songs you love.

Gibson is inspired by the strangely different light, interesting set designs, and, importantly, how a singer moves around the stage, engaging with the audience, channelling the crowd’s energy into their performance - drawing us in. A gig creates an amazing sense of togetherness, a rare experience of letting go of all your inhibitions in a crowd of strangers, collectively moving to the same beat.

These fleeting moments are caught on camera from the heart of the crowd and are later developed into paintings in her studio, with the musician’s albums providing the soundtrack to my portrait of them. Images and lyrics are overlaid, creating a narrative, and encouraging the viewer to not only listen to a song but to visualise the words too. Sometimes imagery or text is included which may appear random but is intended to challenge the viewer’s knowledge of the subject, adding an element of intrigue to each artwork.

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PRIZES

2004  Bath Society of Artists summer exhibition - winner of both Harry Walker young artists prize together with the people's choice award (for which over 15,000 people voted)

EXHIBITIONS

2011  Music when the lights go out , The Macbeth,
 70 Hoxton Street, 
London, N1 6LP
2010  All across the town, all across the night
, West Eleven Gallery, 
Notting Hill, London
2010  Balloon over bath, Milsom Place, Bath
2004  Bath Society of Artists Summer Exhibition, Milsom Place, Bath