About The Artist
Anglesey-based artist, Andy Dobbie, creates colourful, geometrically fragmented paintings in oils and acrylics and bold, angular welded metal sculptures inspired by the human figure to investigate how we see, and understand, three dimensional ‘form’ in the physical world around us.
His work examines the way light strikes the planes of a figure; how the figure casts shadows on itself and its surroundings; how the shape of the figure creates negative space within and around itself; how movement around the figure changes our perception of these shapes, shadows and negative spaces; and, finally, how we interpret this complexity of visual signals to build a mental picture of the form of the figure and our orientation to it within a Cartesian space.
The human figure, being both infinitely variable and also instantly recognisable (assuming a few hints and clues are proffered), makes an ideal motif because it can be simplified and distorted whilst still remaining identifiable.
Artist’s Statement
I paint pictures that seek to explore how we make visual sense of the physical world around us.
My work starts with observation from life during which I produce large, loose sketches of people, objects and places. These act as a record of the colours, values and shapes that most interest me. In particular, I am seeking examples that highlight our ability to observe the varied and confusing effects of light striking different surfaces and planes and, yet, still interpret them as forms in space.
Back in the studio, I reinterpret those sketches to further accentuate those aspects which invite further scrutiny. During this process, I also introduce fragments of memories of related objects and scenes from the past in order to enhance the sensation of changes in perspective as a result of the passage of time.
My objective is to achieve a point of balance between figuration and abstraction, such that the painting oscillates in the eyes of the viewer between the portrayal of recognisable objects in a believable visual arena, and the undeniable flatness that is the result of the act of painting on a picture surface; between truth and lie.
It has been said that all art is dialogue; a two-way conversation between the artist and the viewer, which is only complete once it has generated a response. To this end, I try to make work that poses thought-provoking, open-ended questions that invite further consideration and discussion.
Artist’s Bio
Andy Dobbie is a professional artist living and working in Trearddur Bay on Anglesey, who paints pictures that seek to explore how we make visual sense of the physical world around us. Working in a variety of mediums, most recently Andy has developed a love of working in oils, but is also experimenting with welded metal sculptures.
He always starts by sketching and painting the figure from life, before returning to the studio where he seeks to reinterpret those sketches. He sometimes half-jokingly describes himself as a ‘sculptor who paints’, since he considers his current focus as being to both highlight and undermine the contradictions inherent in depicting three dimensional objects and spaces on the two dimensional picture plane.
Andy participated in his first Anglesey Arts Week Open Studios event in March 2018. During this time he conducted several ‘ad-hoc’ live portrait drawing demos of any visitor who was willing to sit. He also conducted a live portrait demo at the Chester Arts Fair in November last year using a volunteer from the audience. More recently, he was invited to give a talk about his artistic journey to the Anglesey Art Group.
He has sold work through local shows as well as online galleries. His work is held in private and corporate collections in the UK, Malta, the USA and Australia. He also had another piece accepted to last year’s Kyffin Williams Drawing Prize exhibition.
Artists from all eras and movements provide Andy with inspiration, but especially from Post-Impressionism onwards and particularly from Cubism which, he feels, still has more to offer figurative artists in the digital age. His artistic heroes include Pablo Picasso, Francis Bacon, and David Hockney.
Artist’s CV
Awards:
- Jan 2024 – Sculpture Award from the Association of Anglesey Art Clubs Bienniel Exhibition, Oriel Ynys Môn, Anglesey
- Jan 2018 – Award for an Outstanding Body of Work from the Association of Anglesey Art Clubs Bienniel Exhibition, Oriel Ynys Môn, Anglesey
- Jul 2009 – 2nd Prize in the Art for All Competition, Ucheldre Centre, Holyhead
Exhibitions:
- Mar 2024 – Jul 2024 – Kyffin Williams Drawing Prize Exhibition, Oriel Ynys Môn, Anglesey
- Jan 2024 – Mar 2024 – Association of Anglesey Art Clubs Bienniel Exhibition, Oriel Ynys Môn, Anglesey
- Nov 2018 – Chester Arts Fair (including conducting a ‘live’ portrait drawing demo), Chester Race Course, Chester
- Jul 2018 – Jan 2019 – Kyffin Williams Drawing Prize Exhibition, Oriel Ynys Môn, Anglesey
- May 2018 – Island Art Group Exhibition, David Hughes Centre, Beaumaris, Anglesey
- Mar 2018 – Anglesey Arts Week Open Studios, Trearddur Bay, Anglesey
- Jan 2018 – Association of Anglesey Art Clubs Bienniel Exhibition, Oriel Ynys Môn, Anglesey
- Jul 2017 – Art for All Competition, Ucheldre Centre, Holyhead
- May 2017 – Island Art Group Exhibition, David Hughes Centre, Beaumaris, Anglesey
- May 2017 – ‘Solo Exhibition’, Roadking Truckstop Cafe, Holyhead, Anglesey
- Jan 2014 – Association of Anglesey Art Clubs Bienniel Exhibition, Oriel Ynys Môn, Anglesey
- Jul 2013 – Art for All Competition, Ucheldre Centre, Holyhead
- Jul 2012 – Jan 2013 – Kyffin Williams Drawing Prize Exhibition, Oriel Ynys Môn, Anglesey
- Jul 2009 – Art for All Competition, Ucheldre Centre, Holyhead
Employment:
- May 2017 to date – Full-time self-employed artist, Trearddur Bay, Anglesey
- 1990 to 2017 – Various management roles in IT and Systems Implementation, Holyhead, Manchester, Birmingham, Bangor
Education:
1982 – Art ‘O’ Level (Grade A), Cornwall
1984/85 – Completed 1 Year of 3 Year Degree in Industrial Design & Production, Central School of Art & Design,London
1983/84 – 1 Year Art Foundation Course, Coleg Normal, Bangor, North Wales
1983 – Art ‘A’ Level (Grade B), Cornwall