I'm a process driven formalist abstract painter. I work intuitively with no preliminary drawings or subject in mind - each painting evolves and resolves itself. My method is to layer and build the surface with paints and collage, using different tools to apply paint, draw, scratch into and often sanding back to reveal layers underneath. Both excavating the surface and repainting multiple times, enhances visceral qualities I look for and creates a sense of history. I playfully explore and discover, all the while responding to emerging imagery which excites me. Mark-making is one of the fundamental elements I find enriching and a characteristic of my own visual language.
I'm a process driven formalist abstract painter. I work intuitively with no preliminary drawings or subject in mind - each painting evolves and resolves itself. My method is to layer and build the surface with paints and collage, using different tools to apply paint, draw, scratch into and often sanding back to reveal layers underneath. Both excavating the surface and repainting multiple times, enhances visceral qualities I look for and creates a sense of history. I playfully explore and discover, all the while responding to emerging imagery which excites me. Mark-making is one of the fundamental elements I find enriching and a characteristic of my own visual language.
My aim is to work with the unconscious and like the Surrealist's approach of expression, my paintings embody 'states of being', references to the invisible world and an expression of the unknown. Ultimately I aim for spiritual 'presence' and hope that the viewer will be drawn inside my paintings.
Recent influences can be attributed to Abstract Expressionism and artists such as Roy Oxlade, William Crozier and contemporary painter, Basil Beattie, amongst others.
Maria Kuipers CV
Born 1950 British
Training
2007 – 2009 Sculpture NCFE Certificate, Brighton
1999 – 2001 SRC Certificate Printmaking, Northbrook College, Worthing
1999 – 2000 7307 C & G.FE Teacher Training, Brighton
1995 – 1998 1st Class Honours BA, Bishop Otter University Chichester
1994 – 1995 Art & Design Foundation, Northbrook, Worthing
Selected Prizes and Awards
2014 - 2015 'West Pier Art', ACE Award, self development, collaboration & community art 2012 Prize, 'Red crucifixion' painting, Kress project, Georgia Museum of Art
2003 - 2004 'Development of practice', Individual Award, Arts Council South East
2000 - 2002 'Art & Health project', Individual Award, Arts Council South East
Solo Shows
2014 -2015 'West Pier Art', Solo show, Brighton 2014 'Dwellings' Solo Show, Thomas & Paul Gallery, London
2012 ‘Earthworks’ 3 man Summer Show, St. Anne’s Galleries, Lewes
Selected Exhibitions
2017 - 2019 Cameron Contemporary Art Gallery; St. Anne's Galleries 2015 -2016 Cameron Contemporary Gallery, Hove/ London Affordable Art Fair 2013 -2015 Cameron Contemporary Art Gallery, Hove St Anne's Galleries, Lewes
2012 -2015 Bellis Gallery, Brighton
2012 -2014 UK & Hamburg Art fairs with The Art Collective Thomas & Paul Gallery London
2012 Bloomsbury Art Fair, London, The Art Collective
Tight Modern touring gallery, Creative Future
2011 Impact Art fair with Creative Future, London
2010 Serenahall Gallery, Southold, Suffolk
Naked Eye Gallery, Brighton
2009 Art Liberating Lives, Mall Gallery, London
2008 Art-camp & exhibition, Debrecen, Hungary
New Ashgate Gallery, Farnham, Surrey
2007 Gallery 23, Lancaster Atticus arts, Bath Serenahall Gallery, Suffolk
Arts and Business, Brighton Solo Show, Pelham House, Lewes and HQ Gallery, Lewes
2006 Star Gallery, Lewes
2006 50over50 National Arts Competition Show, University Gallery Brighton
2004 -2006 Gallery Fifty Eight, Northampton
2005 Gallery One, Barnes, London
2003 ROI, Royal Institute for Oil Painters, Mall Galleries, London
2002 -2005 Cornerstone Gallery, St. Ives, Cornwall
1996 Sussex Open, Brighton
Selected Projects
2018 -2020 Selected, 13 Artist Group Open House and Online Shop, Creative Future 2018 - 2020 One to one weekly art tutoring for disabled students 2016- 2020 Leading Art & Well-being Art Workshops with Creative Future; Gateway Women's refuge, Off The Fence; Vineyard Church 2016 Selected, Judging Panel, Tight Modern, Creative Future 2015 -2016 Peer trainer, Recovery College Workshops 2015 -2017 Talks - 'Meet the artist', Creative Future; Chapel Royal Festival; Vineyard ch 2014 -2015 'West Pier Art', Developing practice, collaboration & Community Arts project
