Catherine Davison
Singing Orchards |
My paintings are emotional landscapes of the human spirit, which are visually portrayed through the motifs and lines in nature. Nature is my source of inspiration and imagery. It represents hope, change & the cycle of life. I am particularly interested in expressing the aspect of 'change' through movement. Like life, nothing in nature stands still. Therefore the vibrancy of colour and shapes I use reflect the pulsating energy and dynamism of nature - paralleling the emotional experience of joy and communication of vitality.
I am inspired by the dynamism of the Futurist movement, the colours of Franz Marc and the mark making of Aboriginal art. It is a childlike / primal approach to creativity that I use as the basis for all my work. This playful manner, with its pursuit of unity is at the heart of my aesthetic consciousness.
Psychologist Dr. Caroline Leaf states, "All that is good stems from faith and all that is negative stems from fear". In a society bombarded by News 24/7 it is vital that we allow our soul's to rest. The purpose of my work is to encourage people in this process - this activity of 'rest'. I do this by encouraging them to dwell on Nature - the very thing that is known to give rest and nourishment to the soul.
By focusing on the beauty and wonder experienced when viewing a landscape for example - my work seeks to engage with the positive emotional responses we have when connecting to the natural world around us.
1979 Born in Castlereagh, Northern Ireland
Education
2004-2005 Leith School of Art, Edinburgh, Painting Course
1998-2001 University of Ulster, Fine & Applied Arts Degree , BA (Hons) 2:1
1997-1998 University of Ulster, Belfast Campus, Foundation Studies
Solo Exhibitions
2011 JOYFUL NOISE, Waterfront Hall, Gallery 2, Belfast, N.Ireland
2009 CATHERINE DAVISON, Queen Street Studios Gallery, Belfast
2003 REFLECT, Waterfront Hall, Gallery 2, Belfast, N.Ireland
Selected Exhibitions
2014
ART - for N.S.P.C.C., The MAC ( Metropolitan Art Centre), Belfast
337: QSS MEMBERS EXHIBITION, QSS Gallery @ Bedford St., Belfast
2013
QSS CHRISTMAS SALON, QSS Gallery @ Bedford St. Belfast
MOMENTS OF INCEPTION, curated by Eoin Dara, QSS Gallery @ Bedford St.,Belfast
CATHERINE DAVISON – JOY, Micro Dot gallery, Belfast
PRECURSOR, Catalyst Arts, Belfast
BOAT SHED GALLERY, Russian Dolls exhibit, Golden Thread Gallery, Belfast
VISUALISE 20/20, Wesleyan Chapel, Baillieborough, Art Centre, Co. Antrim
2012
WAR ON WANT N.I. Art Aid 2012, River House, Belfast
"experiMENTAL" Catalyst Arts members show, Belfast
CREATIVE CHANGE N.I. - East Belfast Arts Festival Exhibition, City East Business Centre, Belfast
2011
CHRISTMAS EXHIBITION, Engine Room Gallery, Linen Hall St. Belfast
THE BIG SMALL SHOW, Gordon gallery, Derry
ANNA CHEYNE EXHIBITION, Island Art Centre, Lisburn, N. Ireland
MILLBANK GALLERY, Summer Exhibit, Templepatrick, Antrim
SUMMER EXHIBITION, Emer Gallery, Belfast
ART AID, WAR ON WANT, Ormeau Baths Gallery, Belfast
2010
WISH YOU WHERE HERE, Naughton Gallery, Queens University, Belfast
THE BIG SMALL SHOW, Gordon gallery, Derry
THE GALLERY, opening exhibit, Killyleagh, Co. Down
MILLBANK GALLERY, St. Patricks Day exhibition, Co. Antrim
PLAY AND SKINNED KNEES, Catalyst Arts, member's show, Belfast
2009
Q.S.S. GROUP SHOW (Feb), QSS Gallery, Belfast
IRISH ART, Millbank Gallery, the Templeton Hotel the De lacy Suit
Q.S.S. GROUP SHOW (May), QSS Gallery, Belfast
2008
OPEN EXHIBIT, McKenna Gallery,Omagh
POSTCARDS FROM AN UNKNOWN ARTIST, Naughton Gallery, Queens University, Belfast
ARTISTS IN RESIDENCY EXHIBITION,The Stable Gallery, Roundstone
THE GARDEN STATE, Catalyst Arts Gallery, Belfast
IRISH ART, Millbank Gallery, Templeton Hotel the De lacy Suit, Co. Antrim
2007
CHRISTMAS EXHIBITION, Leslie Cherry Gallery, Belfast
2006
SUMMER EXHIBITION, the Gordon Gallery, Derry
2005
Q.S.S. ARTISTS, the Grove Gallery, the Saint Patrick Centre, Co. Down
2004
REVEALING OBJECTS, Naughton Gallery, Queens University, Belfast
IRISH ART, Millbank Gallery, Templeton Hotel the De lacy Suit, Co. Antrim
2002
NEW WORK BY QUEEN STREET STUDIOS, Cork, Ireland
COLLABORATE, Queen Street Studios Gallery, Belfast, N.Ireland
TWENTY ONE TWENTY, Clocksworthy Arts centre, Clocksworthy, N.I.
2001
TWENTY ONE TWENTY, the Market Place Gallery, Armagh, Ireland
SMALL ISLANDS, BIG IDEAS, IRISH ART CENTRE, New York, U.S.A.
2001
TWENTY ONE TWENTY, Hilton Hotel, Belfast, N.Ireland
CHRISTMAS SHOW, Queen Street studio Gallery, Belfast, N.Ireland
10 FEMALE ARTISTS, British Council, Belfast, N.Ireland
Studio Membership & Board Member
2001-Present STUDIO MEMBER of Queen Street Studios, Belfast
2009-2010 BOARD MEMBER of Queen Street Studios, Belfast
Selected Awards
2012 Individual Artists Award Programme, Northern Ireland Arts Council
2010 Individual Artists Award Programme, Northern Ireland Arts Council
2007 Individual Artists Award Programme, Northern Ireland Arts Council
2002 Individual Artists Award Programme, Northern Ireland Arts Council
2001 British Council Travel Award to New York
Public & Community Art
2012 - 2013 Visualise 20/20, discussion groups with elderly community members, resulting in a finished of art relating to the ideas & insights gained on the area of Baillieborough, Co. Cavan
2013 Backin' Belfast, contemporary art practice on the streets of Belfast, funded by Belfast City Council
2012 Cow Parade - commisioned by ASITIS consultants to paint the launch cows for Cow Parade N.I.
Commissions
2010 ILLUSTRATION for sleeve cover of CD 'Let Music Unfold' by Andy Davison
2008 PAINTING COMMISSION for Queens University, Belfast
2004 PAINTING COMMISSION for Gardeners Jewelers
Residency
2008 ROUNDSTONE, Errisbeg House, Galway,
Collections
2012 Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast
2008 Botanic Inns, Belfast
2007 McGinnis Construction Co. Belfast
2005 Inverlieth House, Edinburgh