 https://www.trinitybuoywharf.com/whats-on/trinity-buoy-wharf-drawing-prize-2023-exhibition-and-shortlist-announced This month has been a whirlwind of excitement. Not only was my drawing 'Imelda' selected for the Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize 2023, but I was also invited to send a proposal to be included for a chance at the Evelyn Williams Drawing Award 2023.
The Private View and Awards evening held at the Trinity Buoy Wharf Chain Store in London, was fabulous from the start with most invited artists and their guests arriving by boat from Westminster with lots of fizz and other drinks to go round on arrival and seeing all the artists and their drawings culminating in the excitement of the prize/awards announcement. Congratulations to all the prize/award winners. Needless to say, I was not chosen for any of the prizes this evening, but it was great to be included in the mix with such a prestigious group of artists...and the catalogue is pretty special and a good reminder of all the stunning drawings included in the exhibition. Note to self: need to continue to draw and try again. Over the years I have been in awe of people giving time and space to help others. In this instance, a shoutout to Graham at Castlegate frames in Aberdeen who is always there to support local artists. in my case he offered his space at Castlegate frames and hosted a solo show of some of my recent mix of paintings. Many thanks Graham...it means a lot. 
Imelda is a plant and soil scientist who recently undertook a PhD in Scotland. After multiple sittings with Imelda over time and hearing about her journey with plants and the soil, I tackled a drawing as a working drawing of the sitter and her connection to the earth. The picture existed to become a more detailed oil painting of Imelda, which, after her last visit to my studio in summer 2023, it was decided that it was to sit beside a microscopic interpretation of the soil. So, becoming a diptych. In this painting, Imelda models a scarf. Imelda's Dad gifted that scarf to her Mum, who then gave it to Imelda. Her Dad was killed during the Rwandan genocide in 1994. As an ethnobotanical artist, my drawings and paintings link plants with people, place and time. Walking the land, photographing, and collecting plant material is the key to explorations for my art practice.  Imelda Uwesi - Plant and Soil Scientist. oil on canvas. 69cm x 138cm. 2023  Part of a working drawing of Imelda, Plant and Soil Scientist - Sanguine Conte Oil Lead on 56 x 76 cm HP 640gsm Paper 2023
So pleased to announce that I am a longlist finalist in the Scottish Portrait Awards (Fine Art) and will be included in the online exhibition opening in December. https://www.scottishportraitawards.com/ The self portrait, is called Extrospection and is a diptych painted in oils on flax canvas. Dimension w85.5cm x h42cm #scottishartist #aberdeenartist #oilonlinen #selfportrait #diptych #fineart #artplantae #plantcollector I planned to paint a portrait of my brother, who had suddenly and unexpectedly passed away. I managed to sketch, but it was tough to paint.
As an ethnobotanical artist, I create work that connects plants with people, place and time, and so my self-portrait 'Extrospection' diptych on rough flax canvas focuses on the land. While painting, it was more of an introspection of time spent as feral children exploring the 'Gramps' and 'Sannies' near home. I work across various forms of media, including painting, mapping, drawing, installation, audio and poetry, with walking and plant material collecting key to my explorations.
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September 2024
AuthorFiona Swapp lives and works in Aberdeen. She has over 30 years experience as a graphic designer and botanical artist. |
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