Exhibitions

Artist Statement

The history of painting is intrinsically linked to developments in paint technology. Although there is a long tradition of water colours and oils, acrylic paint has only a relatively brief history having been developed in the late 1940s. With many of the qualities of other paints, acrylics also offer their own unique attributes. My work is an evolution of thoughts and concepts interwoven with the physical process. I explore innovative and distinctive applications of acrylic paint to produce engaging objects of beauty and contemplation.

I enjoy the combination of the freedom of exploring acrylics while keeping within the traditional boundaries of painting on canvas. Although I have certain ideas and influences the process of creating, exploring and working with the paint on canvas is exciting and stimulating because I don't know how it's going to end and what I will discover on the way.

My paintings are textural and tactile so that often they are mistaken for being of mixed media with metallic paint looking like wire or embroidery thread, or dried paint appearing like paper. This is paint creating an illusion of reality; representation, but in a non-traditional way. An awareness that the work is not of mixed media but acrylic paint confuses the senses, encouraging the viewers to question their perception, to challenge and re-evaluate, to look again.

As a visual arts medium, dried, peeling paint is extremely evocative in itself. It is the fragile evidence of passing time on previous activity, human traces of the past. Similarly metallic and reflective paint and the flickering sparkles of glitter with their dependance upon the quality of the light is a manifestation of the impermanence and fragility of human perception and experience.

After gaining a BEd Hons degree (Art) I worked throughout the education sector over a number of years as Head of Art in middle school, teaching GCSE and A level in senior school, and as an Art Tutor in adult education with West Cheshire College. While completing an Artist Teacher MA in 2005 I began practising as an artist full time. Since then I have exhibited across North West England and North Wales. I am also working with Aintree Hospitals Trust developing site specific works appropriate to the needs of a variety of people in the hospital environment.

Detail Views

Related Links

"ArtInLiverpool" artwork of the day feature on Karen Gilbert, 9th July 2007.

"Paintings and Prints by British Artists" listing for Karen Gilbert.

"ArtInLiverpool" page on Karen Gilbert.

Contact by email

Artwork For Sale

The paintings shown on this site comprise only a small selection of recent work, some of which have already been sold [show indication on thumbnails]. Paintings are generally priced around £50 to £250. They can be purchased direct from the artist or from the following galleries and outlets.

Ambience
127 Brimstage Road
Heswall
Wirral
0151 348 4893 Broadstone Mill
Broadstone Road
Houldsworth Village
Stockport
0161 953 4463 Dee Fine Arts
182 Telegraph Road
Heswall
Wirral
0151 342 6657 The Stables Gallery
Brimstage Hall Courtyard
Brimstage
Wirral
0151 342 5999