statement

My work is essentially about identity and place. I frequently work from isolated film stills or snapshot photography to capture in between‚ moments and incidents, the essence of a subject that reveals itself through the nature of this media. These are later scrutinised to identify sequences that then form the basis of paintings. Much of my work takes the form of painting installations that are either displayed in sequence or in specific, scattered‚ configurations.

The selected imagery appears caught between surveillance and the snapshot, as I become the reflective observer. I am interested in activity that occurs within our environments and how that affects individual identity, issues around anonymity and a sense of place.

'Market Hall Corner' is based upon five isolated film frames from a second of footage that marks the passage of time. However, the five panels are not presented in strict sequence, but instead rely on the spectator to make the link between one frame and another. Although the painting is not photorealist the photographic lens flare has been utilised to reference the original source.

The original film stills are low-resolution, low-quality images from which I produce the paintings. Therefore, elevating the status of the original source by drawing on the (historical) eminence of what painting stands for with regards to considered value.

bio

born: 1970, United Kingdom

education:

University of Portsmouth, UK, MA (Fine Art), 1996
Falmouth School of Art, UK, BA hons (Fine Art), 1992

selected awards/honors

The Jonathan Vickers Fine Art Award, Derbyshire Community Association and University of Derby, UK, 2007-2008
Braziers and Arts Council England International Fellowship, e-t+t Residency Space and Artists' Union of Latvia, Riga, Latvia, 1996

selected publications

Oil Paintings in Public Ownership: Derbyshire, The Public Catalogue Foundation, UK p. 149, 2009
Skimming the Surface: Natalie Dowse, Jonathan Vickers Fine Art Award Catalogue, Derbyshire Community Foundation, UK, 2008

selected solo or two-person exhibits

Natalie Dowse, Derby Museum and Art Gallery: Skimming the Surface, Derby, UK, 2008
Natalie Dowse, Millais Gallery, Southampton Solent University: Between the Lines, Southampton, UK, 1997
Natalie Dowse and Mike Blackman, e-t+t Residency Space: Braziers and Art Council England International Fellowship Exhibition, Riga, Latvia, 1996

selected group shows

SPACE, University of Portsmouth: 800 Feet, Portsmouth, UK, 2008
Vegas Gallery: Sugar and Spice, London, UK, 2007
Grey Area: Rework Replay, Brighton, UK, 2006