Deborah M Gardner

For over thirty years I have been making art: combining colour, line, shape, texture, and words. I am influenced and inspired by myriads of things – conversations, books, films, music, TV, history, politics, religion, newspapers, places, people, relationships, feelings, and memories. For me, the process of making is key – I mix materials and mediums; weaving colours, symbols, patterns, and text - tearing, cutting reassembling, gluing, painting, drawing, writing – (getting dirty). This for me is a type of alchemy; an attempt to create order from chaos. I am trying to make sense of - and to capture small moments of being. All my work is a form of storytelling – the square motif I use in my work is called Dot and acts as a cipher – my artistic alter-ego, enabling me to spin almost abstract narratives. All my images – (large or small), are pictorial metaphors that on the surface look aesthetically pleasing yet on closer inspection expose something darker; luminous distractions that conceal as many truths as lies.

My formal Art Education includes:
• Foundation Certificate in Art and Design – Percival Whitely College, Halifax
• Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Fine Art – Liverpool Art College
• Master of Art – Art and Design – Leeds University

I have exhibited all over the UK – in both group shows and Solo Shows.
I exhibit in galleries and non-gallery spaces.
I have sold work outside of the UK and am now represented by Yugen Art Gallery in Milan and AKA Fine Art in Cambridge.