Carolyn Angus

Born in 1965

Great Britain

date of insertion in W.A.D. 12/2023

https://www.carolynangus.com/

Biography

I was born in Glasgow, Scotland and studied at the Glasgow School of Art  (1982-87) for my BA (hons) and Post-Graduate Diploma in Sculpture. I then moved to the Usa on a education scholarship where I gained my Masters of Fine Art (MFA) from Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia, USA (1989). I have been a practising artists since graduation and have maintained studios at various times in the USA, the United Kingdom, The Philippines,Finland and Italy. Since 2003 I have lved and worked in Rome and rural Finland. I have exhibited in all of these countries.Through my art career I have worked in a wide variety of materials such as steel and ceramic but have come to focus on drawing to create my artworks. My scultpural installation works are often made of paper.

My art is created from the most ephemeral of materials using the power of the repeated gesture to produce temporary monuments for specific contexts whether a gallery, non-gallery or an outdoor space. I have developed a portable art practice because I have lived and worked on three different continents in my life. Living as a foreigner for most of my life as an artist I highlight the commonalities, celebrate the diversity and unifiy my varied experiences.

The fragility and ephemeral nature of paper and my use of simple, direct drawing and construction techniques to create art is central to my philosophy and objectives. I want the physical engagement of a tactile visual art medium and a connection to the viewer that is immediate and emotional.

Through my work I explore the idea of a still point in a tumultuous world and what it is to carry a feeling of belonging. In my installations I often use found elements from my immediate surroundings such as small branches or I take paper casts of natural objects which I alter. By echoing the world around me and transposing the elements I find into poetic installations I want to place the viewer at the centre and create a stillness and a place of reflection.

My large-scale installations are often made in response to particular spaces. They highlight what it means to be present in that place and at that moment.For me the landscape of Italy and Finland is the dynamic backdrop to my life, constantly inspiring me to look closely at nature.

In my work I collage together, for a given time, a shared horizon which is held, suspended in time.  I weave together through the repeated gesture, the layers of memories from near and far, the murmurings of lived experience.

In each of  these diverse places I have dedicated myself to collaboration and empowerment through art and art initiatives, including art education and community involvement. I have taught drawing ans sculpture to every age group from three years old to sixty five. I have taught inmuseums, in forests, in nursery schools and in Universities. I celebrate in all this diversity the empowerment that creating art can bring.

Curriculum

BACKGROUND AND EDUCATION

Born Glasgow United Kingdom, lives and works in Rome since 2003.

1982-1986 BA (Hons) First Class Fine Art (Sculpture), Glasgow School of Art, UK. Distinction for written thesis.

1986-1987 Postgraduate Diploma in Fine Art (Sculpture), Glasgow School of Art.

1988-1990 MFA, Tyler School of Art, Temple University, Philadelphia, USA. 

(Ceramics and Sculpture)

SELECTED RECENT EXHIBITIONS

Visser Le Ninfe, Vissero’ a cura di Anna Maria Panzera, Museo Arte e Design Umbria (MAD) November 2023

‘Inter Sidera Versor: Inside’ a cura di Shara Wasserman e Anna Maria Panzera.Temple University Rome, March 2023.

‘Remanso’ a cura di Maria Costanza Villareal Ex-Cartiera Latina, Via Appia Antica, Rome. October 2022.

“Tendenze Attualizzanti”  a cura di Virginia Ryan, Trevi, Umbria. July 2021

Rome Art Week Rome, October 2020.

“Kultur på Ladusgårdvinden” Finland, July 2020.

“Approaches; three artists who draw” a cura di Carolyn Angus, Il Laboratorio, Rome. Nov 2019,

“The Discovery Art Fair”, Frankfurt, November 2019.

Rome Art Week October 2019.

“Kultur på Ladugårdsvinden’” Finland. July 2019.

“Atelier 1” MACRO ASILO, Museo di Arte Contemporanea Roma,Feb 2019.

“Temporal Bandwith”, a cura di Emmanuela Ricciardi  Studio Yes, Trastevere. October 2018.

Tiny Biennale, Temple University, Rome. March 2015.

“Resonance and Timbres” a cura di Irmela Heimbächer, Galleria Monty & Company, Rome, Oct 2014.

“Casa Con Vista”, Casa Gregoretti, Rome, May 2012.

“The Experiment” a cura di John Dargan Fludde Festival, Faversham, Kent, UK, Nov 2012.

“E le Stelle stanno a Guardare”, Galleria 3B, Rome 2010.

“Focus: Angus, Eaton, Kammerer” St Stephen’s Cultural Center, Rome 2010.

TEACHING/PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

1989-90 Tutor First Year Studies (Foundation), Glasgow School of Art, UK.

1988-93 Art Instructor, Interlochen Arts Camp. MI,USA.

1990-1996 Assoc. Senior Lecturer (0.5), Fine Art Dept, Sheffield Hallam University, UK.

1993-94 Sabbatical year at Bukidnon State College, Malaybalay, Philippines.

1999-2001 Education Coordinator, Stour Valley Arts Sculpture Park, Kent, UK. Developed the education programme for SVA. Liaison with the International programme of Artist in residence, local galleries and education institutions.

2005-09 Art Instructor AMBRIT International School, Rome.

Taught drawing,painting, sculpture, 2D and 3D mixed media projects K-Grade 4.

2021-present Adjunct Facuty Fine Arts, American University Rome.

Teaches Roman Sketchbook, Drawing and Sculpture.

1990-Present Professional Artist.

Maintains own private studio in Rome, working on large scale drawing installation and sculpture.

AWARDS AND ARTIST IN RESIDENCE

John and Anna Laurie Bequest, Glasgow School of Art.

Scottish Education Fund

Arts Council England, Individual Artist Award.

ARTELES, artist in Residence programme, FINLAND.