Joan Alexander studied Philosophy at Queens University of Belfast and the Institute of Philosophy KU Leuven, before completing her Masters in photography at University of Brighton. She uses philosophy, photography and drawing in equal measure for her work. Each work here is a Shadow Dial Study, these are investigations of time and finitude through shadow detail. Joan now works between UK and Ireland.
Artist Statement
“The sharp sunshine of early summer dappled the surface of the alley with the hard shadows of the branches that stretched over head. Without wind to move the branches, the shadows looked like permanent stains, destined to remain imprinted on the pavement for ever”.
Murakami,The Wind Up Bird Chronicle, p12-13
My work stems from an engagement with moving light and cast shadows, as quiet markers of time their movement implies a rightful passing through space. It is based on experiments in shadow catching and light tracing to interrupt, imprint and record layers of time. These experiments attempt to solidify passing light and lift shadows in various ways, to chart and duplicate their ethereality, to futilely preserve an ever receding tide line.
Chalk, dust and photography are central elements in my process . Chalk and dust are natural indicies of passing time. Chalk here is used to trace shadow lines and dust to draw lines of light in the air. Photography, projection, video and darkroom spaces are apt mediums , as apparatuses they capture , hold and project the work.
In these ways it resonates the ontology of photography in a metaphorical and literal way, echoing the early realisation of Fox Talbot that photography shifted the essence of light and turned time into space. By its nature the process and projection of the work is durational.
CV
Education
2009-2011 MA Photography, University of Brighton
2003-2005 Diploma in Foundation Art studies , Belfast Metropolitan College
1998-2001 BA Hons Scholastic Philosophy, Queens University Belfast
Selected Group Exhibitions
2019 Through the Looking Glass; Lumen Collective; Ugly Duck, London
2019 FastSlowFast; Joan Alexander, Catriona Leahy, Daren Nixon; Centre for Contemporary Art, Derry/LDerry
2018 Over Land & Sea, Regency Town House, Brighton Photo Fringe, Brighton
2017 Inside the Shadow, Arthouse, London
2015 Light, Line and Lore, Cork Photo HQ 2015, Cork
2015 Expanded Territories, Harnessing Creativity, Leitrim Sculpture Centre & Catalyst Arts, Belfast
2014 Night Contact, Brighton Photo Biennial, Brighton
2014 A Natural Process; Joan Alexander,Martin Seeds, Alison Stolwood; BPF 2014 Collective Showcase, Brighton
2013 Art in Romney Marsh, site specific, Ivy Church, Visual Arts Festival, Kent
2012 Origins of Encounter, Phoenix Gallery, Brighton
2012 Films by Photographers, Protein Gallery, East London Film Festival, London
2011 Made: MA Photography, University of Brighton Gallery, Brighton
2010 Interim , Lotte Avenuel, Seoul, Korea
2009 Home Front, PS 2 Gallery, Belfast
2007 Royal Academy of Arts, Annual show, Ormeau Baths Gallery, Belfast
Selected Solo Exhibitions
2022 Proof of Ghosts; Brighton Photo Fringe, Brighton
2022 Proof of Ghosts; Belfast Exposed, Belfast
2015 Dear Serge, site specific, commission, De La Warr Pavillion, Bexhill on Sea
2014 Shadow Maps Installation, site specific, Embassy Court, Brighton
2009 Home Front, Place Gallery, Belfast
2008 Time Portraits, Black Box,Belfast
2007 Shadow Castings, Space Gallery, Conway Mill, Belfast
Awards, Selections & Collections
2021 Arts Council Northern Ireland Individuals Emergency Resilience Programme
202o Creative Practitioner Bursary award, Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council
2019 A&L Goodbody, Belfast Exposed temporary collection
2018 Belfast Exposed, Futures Artist
2018 Artist Career Enhancement Scheme, Arts Council Northern Ireland
2018 MexIndex moving image representation
2015 Harnessing Creativity Innovation grant recipient
2015 University of Brighton, Bright Spark Award
2015 Santander, Innovation award 2015
2015 Drawing Room Bursary Award, nomination for De La Warr Pavillion, UK
2014 Format Exposure Festival, shortlisted
2012 The Danny Wilson Award 2012, Brighton Photo Fringe Festival, winner
2012 Magenta Flash Forward 2012 Emerging Photographers, UK winner section
2011 Source Photographic Review, Graduate Curators Selection
2011 Photoworks UK, Magazine Showcase Graduate selection
2009 Arts Council Northern Ireland, Support for Individual Artist Program Award
Publications & Conferences
2018 Arts Council Northern Ireland, Arts & Older Peoples Programme publication; My Blue Shoes
2015 Arts Council Northern Ireland, Arts & Older Peoples Programme publication; Not So Cut Off
2012 Reading University conference Journeys Across Media; Shadow Dial Studies
2012 Magenta Flash Forward 2012 Emerging Photographers, UK winner section
2009 British Society of Gerontology Generations Review journal article, July 2009
Collaborations
2015-2018 Sonrisa Solutions; Public Health research & consultation; Arts & Older People Program/ACNI NI
2014 Expanded Territories; Creative Lab Masterclass; Harnessing Creativity, Strule Arts, Tyrone & Fermanagh
2014 Is this a place….; Asylum Seekers research collaboration, Motion Spiel,Therese Mc Kenna, Limerick
2013 Over the Hill; photographic collaboration with Tim Andrews in association with Parkinsons, UK
2012 A-Z, Brighton Photo Fringe Festival, artist and business collaboration, Blind Field Collaboration, Brighton
2009 No Smoke; Arts Care NI, Mater Hospital, Belfast
2008-9 Home Front ; Arts Council NI photographic project in partnership with Changing Age Partnership and Age Concern, NI
Residencies
March 2015 Fabrica Gallery, Making Space residency, Brighton
2008-2009 Performing Artists Forum, Saint Erme, France
Talks
2015 Guest lecture, Belfast Metropolitan College, Belfast
2013 In Conversation with Rebecca Drew, Artist Talk, Brighton Photo Fringe, Brighton
2013 Guest Lecture, South Bank University, London
2012 Artist Talk, Origin of Encounters exhibition, Blind Field Collective, Brighton
Selected Workshop Facilitation Clients
2022 Leitrim Womens Centre & Jo sachs Eldridge Lifecoaching; Creative Ireland , Leitrim
2020 Artsekta; Belfast
2019-20 Education Authority Youth Leaders skillset
2020 Re-Wired Festival: Shadow Studio
Enniskillen Model School, Shadow Studio schools
Ardhowen Theatre, Overhead projector shadow course
Ican Festival, Shadow Studio tasters
2018 Strule Arts Centre, Omagh, Halloween Shadow Studio
Roe Valley Arts Centre, Limavady, Children’s Art Month; Shadow Studio
2017 Brighton & Hove Museums; schools workshop facilitation
Brighton Science Festival; Shadow Studio family
Steyning Primary School; Summer festival; Shadow Studio schools
2016 Photoworks UK, Brighton Photo Biennial; Arts award
Photoworks UK, Together the People festival; Shadow Sudio family
Arts Council NI Age Awareness shadow; Shadow Studio facilitator taster workshops
2015 Cork Photo Festival, family workshops
Harnessing Creativity, Leitrim Sculpture Centre, Shadow Studio workshops
2014-15 Shadow Workshops,Feel Good Fortnight, Buncrana; children workshops
Brighton Science Festival; Shadow Studio family workshops
2014 De La Warr Pavillion, Bexhill on Sea, Shadow Craft in response to Roy Geesin, Blackbird installation
Chapter Arts, Cardiff, Shadow Workshops
2013 Workshops For Schools and Nurseries, Birmingham, Shadow Workshops, Inset Training
2011-2012 Photoworks UK, Workshop Assistant, Edge in Experience
2008-9 Project artist, Arts Care NI, Northern Ireland
For details of shadow workshops and commercial portfolio click here.
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Joan Alexander 