Anna Gillespie was born in 1964. Having obtained a degree from Oxford University in philosophy and politics and then gone on to study international relations at the London School of Economics, 1992 saw a change of direction and the decision to become a full time sculptor. Anna qualified as a stone mason in Bath before travelling to Italy to study with the sculptor Nigel Konstam, and then completing an MA in Fine and Media Art at Cheltenham.
Anna Gillespie creates figurative sculptures in a variety of materials including masking tape, bronze, plaster and clay. Her work varies in scale from life-sized, life-like masking tape figures presented in groups to form an installation, to the much more intimate and domestic pieces.
Anna Gillespie’s work seems to contain contradictions; light and heavy, enduring and temporary, still and vibrant, suffering and joy. The work reflects the fragility and vulnerability of human beings, and the theme of captivity is often present. Within the sculptures can be seen traces of global events, the feelings and circumstances of the model at the time when they posed, and - on a more subliminal yet essential level - the personal world of the artist.
The focus of Anna's work is strength of emotion and simplicity of form. The work does not attempt to capture movement, but rather still moments, and this aspect of the work and the simple poses employed has been deeply influenced by Antony Gormley’s work and writings. Bacon’s writings and work have also been important in clarifying the practice of conveying emotional injury through figuration. Pisano, Michelangelo, Quinn and Munoz, amongst others, are also strong influences.
Anna now works in Bath where she lives with her young family.
Education:
1983-86: BA Hons Philosophy, Politics and Economics, Oxford University
1986-87: Diploma in International Relations, London School of Economics
1993-95: City and Guilds in Stone Masonry and Carving, City of Bath College
1996-98: MA in Fine and Media Arts, Cheltenham
1997: Scholarship and teaching assistant at the Centro d’Arte Verrocchio, Italy
Group and Solo Exhibitions:
1993: RWA Printmaking Open
1994: Bath Society of Artists Open
RWA Open
1995: Solo show The Happening Gallery, Bristol
Group Show “Cruciform”, The Happening Gallery, Bristol
Group Show “Natural Stone Show”, Wwembley Exhibition Centre
Group Show “Broad’s Boards”, City of Bristol Museum & Art Gallery
“C Venue 19”, Fringe Festival Group Show, Edinburgh
RWA Open
1996: Solo Show The Happening Gallery, Bristol
Group Show The Cadogan Galelry, London
Group Show The McHardy Sculpture Gallery, London
Group Show The Ombersely Gallery, Worcestershire
Group Show by “Artery” at the Leadworks, Bristol
“C Venue 19”, Fringe Festival Five Women Show, Edinburgh
1997: Group Show The Yello Gallery, Kinsale, Ireland
1998: Group Show The Gardens of Gaia Sculpture Park, Kent
Group Show The Michael Wright Gallery, Bristol
1999: Group Show The 3D Gallery, Bristol
Solo Show The Ariel Centre, Totnes
2000: Group Show The Chiostro della Collegiata, Casole d’Elsa, Sienna
2001: Site-specifixc stone commission for lord Chichester, Salisbury
2003: Solo Show The Centrespace Gallery, Bristol
2 Person Show Sherborne House Arts Centre, Dorset
RWA Open
Open Studio Show, Botany Studios, Bristol
Group Show UV Light Exhibition, Black Cube Group, Bristol
Group Show - 100 People Collaboration “Inspire”, Lichfield District Council
2004: Group Show “Encore”, RWA, Bristol
Group Show, Candid Arts Trust, London
Group Show, Centrespace, Bristol
Group Show, Black Cube Group, Tobacco Factory, Bristol
Group Show, South Bristol Art Trail, Bristol
Fringe Festival - Installation in Bath Abbey, Bath
Public Collections:
Somerset Museum Services, 2004-06-05
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