Simon Sharp

First and foremost I am a painter. I work on canvas, paper and ceramics, and have been known to work with wood also. Across it all is my preoccupation with mark-marking, colour and symbols to create bold compositions and playful imagery.
I am inspired by artists throughout art history, such as Antoni Tàpies, A.R Penck, Henri Matisse, Paul Klee and Picasso. The techniques and ideas from these influences are used to cross-reference different times and places in a free and eclectic way, and results in my own visual language that I have developed over my lifetime.
Although I trained in studio pottery and have earnt my living working with clay, the surface decoration has always held special interest. Painting on canvas allows my visual language to stretch, demand attention and hold more intricacies.
My work has been exhibited across the UK. I am a member of Suffolk Craft Society and the Maker Guild Wales.

1980-82 - Grimsby School of Art, Art Foundation
1982-84 - Harrow College of Art, Higher National Diploma for Studio Pottery

1984-87 - Set up ceramic workshop in Dortmund, Germany.
1988 - Employed as a thrower for Gwili Pottery, Carmarthen. Built my studio and opened Port
Hole Gallery, Pontarsais.
2000 - Solo show of ceramics, paintings and drawings at Washington Gallery, Penarth. Stockist at
West Wales Arts, Fishguard run by Miles Pepper. Stockist at Oriel Myrddin, Carmarthen.
2015 - Exhibition at The Sentinel Gallery, Wivenhoe.
2016 - Member of Suffolk Craft Society and Associate Member of Craft Co, Southwold.
2018 - Group show at Studio Cennen, Llandeilo.
2022 - Member of Makers Guild Wales, Cardiff.
2023 - Stockist at Aldeburgh Contemporary
2024 - Exhibition at Courtyard Gallery, Aldeburgh.
2024 - Solo Exhibition of paintings and ceramics at Church Street Gallery, Saffron Walden.