Biography
Torn between art and science Ian studied for a degree in physics and a PhD on the physics of thunderstorms, all the while drawing, painting, and undertaking occasional illustration and graphic design work. After twenty years or so in academic science, he returned to treating art seriously in his mid-40s. Encouraged to try etching by a friend, he became addicted to the combination of technical craftsmanship and surrender to the unpredictable interaction of acid and copper required to make a successful etching.
Ian works primarily with the traditional etching techniques of sugar lift and spit-bite aquatint, building up the image in layers of tightly-controlled drawing, and more abstract, loose, semi-random marks which mimic the natural textures of the landscape. While working on the etchings he finds a constant tension between his natural tendency towards realism and finely rendered detail and a desire to simplify and abstract the image to achieve a looser rendering that maintains the energy of sketches made out in the wild.
His academic research in climate science has involved field work in the extreme environments of both north and south polar regions. The landscapes of these remote, harsh, but beautiful regions has inspired many of his etchings, as have the hills and moorlands around his home in the Pennine Hills of West Yorkshire.
Gallery Representation
Hope Gallery, Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire
Zillah Bell Gallery, Thirsk, North Yorkshire
The Biscuit Factory Gallery, Newcastle, Tyne & Wear
Awards
2022 - Shortlisted for Flourish Award for Excellence in Printmaking
- awarded People’s Printmaker prize
2020 - ING Discerning Eye Original Print Prize
2020 - New Light Art Print Prize
Solo Exhibitions
2022 - South - Zillah Bell Gallery, Thirsk, Yorkshire
2019 - Distant Shores - Water Street Gallery, Todmorden, Yorkshire
2018 - Far & Near - Bingley Gallery, Bingley, Yorkshire
Selected Group Exhibitions
2024 - Winter Show - Zillah Bell Gallery, Thirsk
2024 - In Print: Nature’s Realm - Watts Gallery, Compton, Surrey
2024 - Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair - Woolwich Arsenal, London
2024 - Painted | Printed | Fired - Tarpey Gallery, Castle Donington
2024 - Studio Vault Gallery, Settle, North Yorkshire
2024 - Summer Exhibition - Zillah Bell Gallery, Thirsk
2024 - Art Is An Idea - The Tarpey Gallery, Castle Donington
2023 - OPEN 2023 - The Lake Gallery, West Kirby, Wirral
2023 - Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair - Woolwich Arsenal, London
2023 - Summer Exhibition - Zillah Bell Gallery, Thirsk
2023 - Contemporary Print Prize Exhibition - Fen Ditton Gallery, Cambridge
2023 - The Art of The Printmaker - Bingley Gallery, Bingley, Yorkshire
2023 - British Contemporary Art 2013-2023 - Zillah Bell Gallery, Thirsk
2022 - ING Discerning Eye - Mall Galleries, London
2022 - Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair - Woolwich Arsenal, London
2022 - Winter Show - Old Lock Up Gallery, Derbyshire
2022 - Mercer Open - Mercer Gallery, Harrogate
2022 - Summer Exhibition - Bingley Gallery, Bingley
2022 - Open 2022 - Old Lock Up Gallery, Derbyshire
2022 - Flourish Award Exhibition - touring exhibition
2022 - Northern Lights - Saul Hay Gallery, Manchester
2022 - Winter to Spring - Highgate Contemporary Art, London
2021 - Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair - Woolwich Arsenal, London
2021 - The Natural World - The Gallery, Holt, Norfolk
2021 - Contemporary Print Prize Exhibition - Fen Ditton Gallery, Cambridge
2020 - ING Discerning Eye Exhibition
2020 - Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair - Woolwich Arsenal, London
2020 - New Light Art Prize Exhibition - touring exhibition
2019 - Winter Exhibition - Zillah Bell Gallery, Thirsk, Yorkshire
2019 - Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair - Woolwich Arsenal, London
2019 - Capturing Light (In Print) - Watts Gallery, Compton, Surrey
2019 - Spring Exhibition - Water Street Gallery, Todmorden, Yorkshire
2018 - Winter Exhibition - Zillah Bell Gallery, Thirsk, Yorkshire
2018 - Our eARTh - Kunsthuis Gallery, Crayke, Yorkshire
2017 - RE National Original Print Exhibition - Bankside Gallery, London
2017 - Summer Open - Beside The Wave Gallery, London