Based in the South West Coast of Scotland, Vanessa’s practice has gone from predominantly painting for many years, having been her chosen field during her studies at the New York Studio School of Drawing, Painting and Sculpture, to focusing on a love for construction and the 3-dimensional form. The physical process of building up a form and holding it within the hands as it comes to life is what really draws Vanessa to sculpture. Wire and pliers are the tools for creating these sculptures based on the human form as well as wildlife, with the introduction of Scottish Pebbles to her work, inspired by gabions, in more recent years.
The dialogue that can be created when working with the figure is exciting and the ability to tell a story through sculpture and how it’s environment can influence that story are all important components to Vanessa’s approach. These sculptures have been commissioned both privately as well as for large scale public art projects.
Although sculptures are the starting point, two-dimensional work is still very much a part of Vanessa’s process. Once completed, playing with light and shadow, these sculptures go on to influence drawings and paintings on to a variety of surfaces. A continuous curiosity for experimenting, the play element is integral to the way she
works, with the process being just as exciting as the final piece. One work can evolve into a whole series of works, which as the maker, keeps the whole practice exciting and open ended.
Memberships
Society of Scottish Artists (SSA)
Visual Arts Scotland (VAS)
Glasgow Society of Women Artists (GSWA)
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