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Priscilla Trenchard

Associate Member

I am a member of the Pebblebeds Project, an interdisciplinary research team headed by Professor Christopher Tilley, investigating the archaeological and historic landscape of East Devon. My mixed media/print work reflects a type of visual archaeology. It has a direct reference to the way in which archaeologists work – collecting, documenting, piecing together fragments in order to create a story or to make sense of a place. Everything is important. An archaeologist meticulously scrapes the soil and, with experience, can read the layered surfaces of texture or colour and so an understanding of the past can be constructed.

With my work I make connections between various imagery, marks, textures and objects to evoke a sense of enquiry about a place or time. An eclectic mix of mark making, print, or drawing with smoke, enables my mixed media approach to develop a visual coherence. I not only investigate the materials but also the experience of putting oneself into an unfamiliar situation in order to provoke a new response to the place/landscape and ways of working. The discovery of a pyre has been central to my studio-based work. I am interested in the transience of objects, the trace of original forms into another element through fire, and the ethereal quality of smoke.

Education

  • 2007-2010
    • M.A. Multi-disciplinary Print, University of the West of England, Bristol.
  • 1981-1982
    • B.A. Contemporary Cultural Studies, Middlesex University (Polytechnic), London
  • 1979-1981
    • Art and Design in a Social Context (completed degree at Middlesex Polytechnic), Dartington College of Arts, Dartington, Devon
  • 1968-1971
    • Diploma: Graphic Design, South Devon Technical College, Torquay, Devon

Exhibitions

  • 2010
    • 15 November - 11 December. Solo Exhibition, The Café, Topsham, Devon.
    • 22 October - Christmas. The Micro Art Project, Spike Print Studio, Bristol.
    • Art Weeks, Pecorama, Beer, Devon.
    • Devon Open Studio, Woodbury Salterton, Devon.
    • The Micro Art Project, Berkeley Square Hotel, Bristol.
    • The Grain Barge, Bristol.
    • MA Multi-disciplinary Print Degree Show, University of the West of England, Bristol.
    • Making: A View of Contemporary Print, Gallery Two (Round Tower), May-June, Black Swan Arts, Frome, Somerset.
  • 2009
    • Miniature Print Show, University of West of England, Blackwell’s Bookshop, Bristol.
    • Taiwan Print Exchange, Tai Pai State University and University of the West of England, Bristol.
    • The Thy Bottle Top Project, The Book Arts Centre at the Limfjord Centre, Doverodde, Denmark.
    • Spring Open Exhibition, Thelma Hulbert Gallery, Honiton, Devon.
  • 2008
    • Present Makers, Thelma Hulbert Gallery, Honiton, Devon.
    • Devon Open Studio Taster Exhibition, Thelma Hulbert Gallery, Honiton, Devon.
    • Devon Art Weeks Open Studios with the Farringdon Society of Arts, Devon.
    • The Town Mill Open Exhibition, Lyme Regis, Dorset.
  • 2007
    • Nine Days of Art, Farringdon, Devon.
    • Devon Open Studio Taster Exhibition, Thelma Hulbert Gallery, Honiton, Devon.
    • Summer Open Exhibition, Thelma Hulbert Gallery, Honiton, Devon.
  • 2006
    • Interpretation of the Keweenaw, Community Arts Centre, Calumet, MI, USA.
  • 2005/06
    • BookOpolise - Bookworks, Ashville, NC. USA.
  • 2004
    • Great Northern Beadwork Show, Community Arts Centre, Calumet, MI. USA.
  • 2003
    • Winner in the International Miniature Competition (mixed media), NC. USA.

Commissioned Work

  • 35 Broaches, small collages encased in silver and plexiglass, Kimmel & Associates.
  • 3 Stained Glass Door Panels, St. James Church, Hendersonville, NC, USA.
  • Work in the collection of Asheville Art Museum, Asheville, NC, USA.

Memberships

The Devon Guild of Craftsmen

 

Priscilla Trenchard

email:pjtrenchard@msn.com
website: www.priscillatrenchard.com www.pebblebedsproject.org.uk