Keith Newlove | The Work
Statement
Keith Newlove is a visual artist based in Derby, UK. His practice is predominantly figurative and utilises hand crafted ceramic objects along with found or ready-made items. Newlove's overriding intention is to examine and investigate the human condition and to represent complex feelings, thoughts, experience and emotion in a sculptural form.
Newlove considers it important that the work should be made by his own hands, to maintain a sense of authenticity and honesty. His work is approached in a formal manner – working directly from the body to gather information using drawings and photographs, prior to sculpting the object.
Using parts of the body, rather than the whole figure, he attempts to depersonalise the work, as much of the inspiration comes from the artist’s own experience. The intention is to cause empathy in the viewer without overshadowing the work with his own image.
Ceramic is used primarily for its relationship with the flesh and he sees the process as an analogy for the life cycle – fresh clay = birth, manipulation = life experience, firing = stasis or death.
Ready-made objects are used to form a context for the sculpted work, giving the work a stronger, broader narrative. For Keith Newlove, the materials used have a direct bearing on the meaning of the work, and should never be used for convenience.
CV
EDUCATION
BA hons Fine Art 2012 – Derby University.
City and Guilds Level 3 Machine Embroidery 2009 – South Nottingham College.
Design for Craft Level 3 2009 – South Nottingham College.
ABC Life Drawing Level 2 2009 – Mackworth College, Derby.
BTEC/General Art and Design 1990 – Cleveland College of Art and Design, Hartlepool.
EXHIBITIONS
2012, Group Exhibition, Grounded Light - Art In Mind, The Brick Lane Gallery - The Annexe, 93-95 Sclater Street, London, E1 6HR, UK.
2012, Group Exhibition, Elysium (BA Hons Stage 3 Degree Show) – Derby University, Markeaton Street Campus.
2012, Group Exhibition, The Original Postcard Show, DEDA, Derby.
2011, Group Exhibition, Interventions, Pickford’s House Museum, Ashbourne Road, Derby.
2011, Group Exhibition, Trace (BA Hons Stage 2 Show), Park Farm Shopping Centre, Allestree, Derby.
2008, Group Exhibition, Rainbow Jack, Studio 61 Gallery & Art Cafe, Lea Nr Matlock DE4 5GJ.
2008, Group Exhibition, New Textile Nudes, Willington Arts Festival.
2008, Group Exhibition, Adam and Steve (a successful symbiosis of faith), The Beetroot Tree Gallery, South Street, Draycott, Derbyshire, DE72 3PP.
2007, Group Exhibition, Contemporary Icons, Studio 61, The Coach House, Main Road, Lea Near Matlock, DE4 5GJ.
2007, Group Exhibition, Textile Nudes, Studio 61, The Coach House, Main Road, Lea, Near Matlock, DE4 5GJ.