Jilly Sutton

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Statement

"Jilly Sutton sculptures are mainly wooden and principally figurative. Many pieces are cast in bronze. She has work in private collections and public galleries...The National Portrait Gallery, The Museum of Liverpool Life, The Prudential Collection, The National Trust etc... Her work is arresting but at the same time there is an overriding feeling of serenity. There is a decisive shape and form to her pieces, but also dynamism that comes from the organic character of the material. Surface texture is important in both her 2D and 3D work. The driving force behind her work comes from the tranquility of her surroundings. Her wooden house and studio are on the banks of the Dart Estuary where the calmness and order of the river, continually influence the peacefulness of her sculptures." G.R. 2004

Biography

Jilly Sutton BA ARBS trained as a sculptor at Exeter College of art after living in Nigeria where she researched and worked with indigo textiles. The indigenous art she saw there sowed a seminal seed, providing influences still seen in her work today.

The sculptures, often heads, are mainly figurative, but abstraction is also part of the oeuvre. Her wood carvings are usually sand blasted and cast in limited editions.
Jiily says “Experimenting with the ‘plasticity’ of wood and working with the vagaries of the organic nature of the material, never ceases to be a challenge, but a love of the warmth of wood, grain and embodied life of ancient trees are a constant source of wonder and inspiration to me”

In recent years Jilly has worked with Elms, digging up the 30 ft saplings struck with the fatal Dutch Elm [plus their roots], and decorating them in ways that connect man to tree.

Jilly works full time in her studio on the banks of the River Dart in Devon.
Her work is in public galleries and private collections around the world.

Exhibition History

ONE MAN SHOWS
2011The Victoria Gallery Bath
2010Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford
98/02/09Rebecca Hossack, London
2006Galerie Het Vijfde Huis, Belgium
2005Gallery Holly Snapp, Venice, Italy
2001/02Bourne Fine Art, Edinburgh
1996Simon Drew Gallery, Dartmouth, Devon
1994Space N.K. Covent Garden, London
1994Dartington Hall Gallery, Devon
1993/02Andras Kaldor Gallery, Dartmouth
1989/07Coombe Gallery, Devon
GROUP SHOWS
2010Beaux Art Gallery Bath
2008 /9Goodwood Sculpture Park
2008-11Hannah Pescher Sculpture Garden
2008 /9Moncrieff Bray Sculpture Garden
2007RBS Dora House London
AnnuallyRCA 20/21 [R Hossack]
AnnuallyLondon Art Fair (R. Hossack)
AnnuallyArt London (R Hossack)
AnnuallyCoombe Gallery, Devon.
AnnuallySaumarez Manor, Guernsey
2003-6Delamore Sculpture Garden, Devon
2003/05South West Sculptors, Dartington
2003/04Exbury Gardens, Hampshire
2003/04Hilliers Arboretum, Hampshire
2002/03Commonwealth Institute, [RHG]
2002SPS Exhibition, Cork St, London
2002Kuwait British Studio Art
2001Bahrain, National Arts Centre
1999The Severn Shed, Bristol
1999/04Ariel Centre, Totnes
1997Plymouth Arts Centre, Devon
1996Exeter City Museum & Art Gallery
1995/03Simon Drew Gallery, Devon
1993-04Andras Kaldor Gallery, Devon
1992Exeter Festival Community Art (Winner)
1989-93Exeter College Art & Design