Our People
Robert Manners
Lecturer
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p><strong>2018 </strong>Arts Council Funding, as part of N-E-W artists’ group,<br /><strong>2010-11</strong> Bristol Museum & Art Gallery funding, as part of CONTAINER artists’ initiative, for a 12-month independent curatorial project.<br /><strong>2008</strong> RWA Open Best Regional Artist Award<br /><strong>2004</strong> UWE Rebecca Smith Award (MA Multidisciplinary Print)</p>
<p>Robert’s current lines of research at Arts University Plymouth are scrutinising recurring themes in his practice. The readymade: its influence in the context of modernist and contemporary painting. Authenticity. The boundaries of abstract and representational image making.</p>
<p><strong>EXHIBITIONS</strong><br /><br /><strong>2018</strong> N-E-W...ideas 2018. Methodist Chapel, Ashburton, Devon<br /><strong>2017</strong> Fathoms Fragments and Fieldwork Greenhill Arts, Moretonhampstead, Devon<br /><strong>2017</strong> Under Construction Forever (part III) Theatre Royal, Plymouth, Devon <br /><strong>2016</strong> Equivalents & Prototypes Art Mill Gallery, Plymouth, Devon <br /><strong>2015</strong> SLOW abstraction (Plymouth Weekender Show), Devon<br /><strong>2015</strong> Affordable Art Fair Transistor Gallery, London<br /><strong>2015 </strong>Group Print Show Art Mill Gallery, Plymouth, Devon<br /><strong>2014</strong> MULTIPLIED. Limted Edition Print Fair, Christies, London<br /><strong>2014</strong> Group Painting Show Art Mill Gallery, Plymouth, Devon<br /><strong>2014</strong> Continual Tones & Under Construction Forever (part II) Collaborative show with Tim Didymus N-E-W Ashburton, Devon.<br /><strong>2014</strong> ‘Seascape Refits’ Solo show. Art Room, Topsham, Devon<br /><strong>2014 </strong>Affordable Art Fair (London). Coombe Gallery, Dartmouth, Devon<br /><strong>2013</strong> MULTIPLIED Limted Edition Print Fair, Christies, London<br /><strong>2013 </strong>‘It’s all White’ Coombe Farm Gallery, Devon<br /><strong>2012</strong> RE OPEN Royal Society of Printmakers, Bankside, London<br /><strong>2012 </strong>Diptych Collaborative show between Spike Print Studio & UWE Print Department<br /><strong>2010</strong> Under Construction Forever (part I) Bristol Museum & Art Gallery (Plinth Project) CONTAINER, Bristol<br /><strong>2010 </strong>Solo show Bristol-Lisboa Gallery, Lisbon,Portugal<br /><strong>2010 </strong>Solo Show Create Centre, Bristol. (awarded from RWA - Best Regional Artist)<br /><strong>2009</strong> IMPACT 9 International Print Fair, Bristol<br /><strong>2009</strong> RWA Open RWA, Bristol Award: Best Regional Artist<br /><strong>2009</strong> Multiples CONTAINER, Bristol<br /><strong>2008 </strong>‘ONE’ CONTAINER, Bristol</p>
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<p><strong>CURATORIAL</strong><strong> / COLLABORATIVE / RESIDENCY</strong><br /><br /><strong>2018 </strong>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><br /><strong>2011</strong> Kestle Barton Manaccan, Lizard, Devon<br /><strong>2010-11</strong> 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.<br /><strong>2008-10</strong> 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></p>
