About
Artist Statement
A fundamental in all this is the energy, the spark, that arises from accidents. The spotting of accidents, the selection or rejection and the subsequent exploitation of them is key to the process. This for me is part of a sequence involving a huge number of micro-decisions one makes to arrive at the final outcome. There is a dialogue between the work and my mind when I'm in the zone and this is propulsive and compulsive. I welcome the challenges of the unpredictability of each medium I use and the integration of them.
Certain themes occur regularly in my work. In no particular order, these are Music, Biology (from my previous career as a Biologist), Landscape, Objects. Each of these preoccupations stem from deep experience and have shaped my present identity.
Over time the creation of the work becomes increasingly fulfilling as one explores some inner world, not just the imagination but the exploration of parallel realities that are somehow liberated as each piece is realised.
I will always be thrilled by the alchemy of creative outcomes, the fact that something entirely unique and new emerges from nothing, that did not exist before.
"When it's rolling well, it feels like some very deep energy is emerging and the artist, myself, is a channel for its realisation. It really is a piece of very special magic and a huge privilege that one is able to do it."
Biography
I grew up in Yorkshire and settled in southern Derbyshire 50 years ago, between Derby and Burton-on-Trent.
I started painting in the 1960s, but it wasn't until 1977 that I had a solo show in the Crucible Theatre gallery space in Sheffield. Since then, I have exhibited widely.
See a full list of past exhibitions here
I work in a variety of media. My work gradually widened in scope to embrace assemblage, installation, and inter-disciplinary projects.
In 1989, along with artist Kevin Burnley, we founded the Midlands based artist collective BET4. The group exhibited in the UK, Germany and in Paris and was active for ten years.
I have received three Arts Council England awards for projects. My exhibitions have been throughout the UK and I have had installations in Germany. My work is in private collections in this country, Germany and America.
Over the years I have carried out many workshops and educational projects enjoying sharing the creativity with a diversity of people, different ages and backgrounds.
I am a musician as well as a visual artist. I play percussion and electronics and have collaborated with some of the leading jazz and improvisation artists in the UK. I have performed in France, Germany, Hungary, Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as around the UK. My sound work has an abstract emphasis and conceptually links with my visual art.
"In many ways It feels like I am producing ephemeral sculpture in sound. This naturally over the years led to some significant installations that integrated sound with strong visual aesthetics."
Sales & Contact
Some of my work has been sold, but if you wish to enquire about purchasing any pieces, please just contact me.
Sold work is indiciated by a red dot.
I am happy to provide details and price information of each piece. Where work is framed, the dimensions are of the actual work itself and the mount and frame are extra. On contacting me I can give the total size with the frame included.
I also offer UK and international shipping (at the buyer's
cost). For shipping rates, artwork pricing, or any other
inquiries, please contact me.
© All artworks are copyrighted. If you wish to use any
images, please contact me for permission.
Waltshaw.com is designed and maintained by Ben Shaw
