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Staff Profile

Neil Bromwich

Senior Lecturer in Fine Art

Background

Introduction

Neil Bromwich works collaberativaly with Zoe Walker, Artist and Lecturer at ECA, Edinburgh University

Our work explores the space between what exists and what is possible. Within this liminal space we create objects and situations that lead our audience on transformative experiences inviting them to consider an other way of being. We ask participants in our work to examine their relationship to the environment they inhabit and reflect on a larger global situation. We are interested in arts potential to act as a catalyst for social and political transformation. At the heart of our work is the pursuit of an ideal and the question - is it possible for Art, and more particularly our practice to provide practical, aesthetic and poetic solutions to social political and environmental problems?

Our work crosses between the gallery space and the public realm; we use installations, social sculptures, and public performances as tools to open up a space where the possible and the actual come together. Here we can collectively begin to question the limits of society and imagine a better world. We believe that through experiencing something even for a moment can start a powerful process of change

We work in response to specific sites and communities drawing on an environment and its people to form the work. We employ a strong aesthetic language that keys into the popular imaginary as useful and effective communication tools from which a complex discourse unfolds, crossing boundaries both geographical, social and metaphorical. Through the playful nature of the work and engagement with of the process participants become involved in events and situations that open up discussion around subjects like the pursuit of happiness, open boarders, and the nature of belief. Our aim has been and is to exploit the power of this aesthetic language to its full potential as a catalyst for change in both localised communities and on a wider global scale


Research

Research Interests

Multi-disciplinary Collaborative Practice with Zoe Walker (Edinburgh University),  Participatory Practice, Socially Engaged Practice, Live Art, Performance, Public Art, gallery installation and public event based works which includes video, sculpture and performance

Esteem Indicators

SOLO EXHIBITIONS (selected)

2017    Dragon of Profit & Private Ownership, Dragon of Profit and Private Ownership commission for Edinburgh Arts Festival (2017), A practice led project and solo exhibition researching the re-appropriation of mythological architypes in-order to examine the distribution of capital through arts practice, with accompanying Festival catalogue publication and essay.

2016-7 State or Slate, Penrhyn Castle, flagship National Trust site, North Wales. A practice led research project that extends existing fine art research around the role participatory art practice can play as an active agent in disrupting and transforming dominant narratives in heritage sites. Funded and facilitated by Trust New Art/National Trust and the Arts Council of Wales. 

2014 Orcadia and Other Stories, at Pier Arts Centre, Orkney extensive solo survey exhibition for Generation’ 25 Years of Contemporary Art in Scotland. Practice based research into Walker & Bromwich's site responsive participatory practice as a tool for changing perception and impacting society. 

2012-18 Art Lending Library, a project with Market Gallery Glasgow, was commissioned for Glasgow International biennial art festival 2012, subsequently awarded prestigious ACE Strategic Touring in 2014, to tour areas of low art provision across England, Now in its 9th iteration as part of our solo exhibition at De Montfort University Gallery Leister 2017-8. Practice led participatory project explores widening public access and impact of contemporary art 

2013 The Cult of Fortuna, National Museums Scotland, commissioned solo exhibition, Edinburgh, Scotland, practice-based research into public perceptions of luck and superstition through the participation of 250 members of the public in social sculpture 

2012-13 Encampment of Eternal Hope, commissioned solo exhibition, BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, Gateshead, UK sculptural installation Practice based research explores how sculptural installation can facilitate debate and performance around sustainable future living, drawing together speakers and participants from Academia, Public and Not for Profit Agencies

2006-10 Panacea, a live multi-layered art event, that investigated the artist role within society and orthodox perceptions of art and medicine as cure-alls for society’s ills.  The event toured to five high-profile galleries across the UK, including Tate Britain, Modern Art Oxford, CCA Glasgow, Baltic Gateshead, Milton Keynes Gallery, John Hansard Gallery Southampton, CCC Tours France. Le Parvis centre d’art contemporain, Tarbes, France, funded by Wellcome Trust Production Sci-Art Award and AHRC Grant for Creative and Performing Arts

2001-12 Celestial Radio, A practice led research project investigating the impact of site responsive social sculpture changing perception of place through disrupting invisible narratives. Various coastal sites nationally and internationally. Commissions include – MCA, Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney 2012, Thessaloniki Biennale, Greece 2008, Turner Contemporary / Folkstone Triennial 2008, ATLAS Arts Skye Scotland 2011, funders including Australia Arts Council, Hellenic Ministry of Culture, Creative Scotland, ACE, European Development Fund, Kent County Council, Essex Council.


OTHER SOLO EXHIBITIONS (selected)

2016    Public Work, Circus between Worlds, Glasgow International Arts Festival

2014    Solo Exhibition, The Eccentrics Banquet, Marion de Canniere Gallery, Antwerp

2014    Solo Exhibition, Game for Change, Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art, Sunderland

2013    Participatory performance, Art School Anecdote, Centenary Commission, with Canberra Contemporary Art Space        

            and Australian National University for The Australia Capital Centenary Celebrations, Canberra

2011    Public Work, Conch Sound Studio, SHE Scotland’s Housing Expo Inverness, and Highland Tour, Scotland

2009    Public Work, Bank of Reason, Collective Gallery, Edinburgh

2000    Exhibition, Portable Paradise, Economist Plaza, London


GROUP EXHIBITIONS (selected)

2015    Mega Hammer, Marvin Gaye Chetwynd’s Open House, Glasgow, Scotland.

2014    Art Moves, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, curated by Adriana Marques, London

2014    Here Today, Old Sorting Office, curated by Artwise, London, alongside Andy Warhol, Tracey Emin, Carsten Holler

2014    Festival of Love, South Bank Centre, London

2014    The Second Life of Sculpture, GI Glasgow International, Glasgow

2012    Camouflage Kiasma, Museum of Contemporary Art, Helsinki, Finland

2011    Dancing Borders London Artists' Films on the London Underground, London

2010    Outer Worlds, Contemporary Arts Society, Deloittes, Luxemburg City, Luxemburg

2009    Running Time – Scottish Video Art 1960 to Now, Scottish National Gallery of Contemporary Art, Edinburgh

2009    Tina B, The Prague Contemporary Art Festival, Prague, The Czech Republic

2009    Love Cannon & Siege Weapons of Love, Invisible Adversaries NGCA Sunderland

2009    Breakfast of Champions, Yinka Shonibare Space, Broadway Market, London

2009    One Day Sculpture, Dunedin, New Zealand  

2008    Becks FUSION, Love Cannon Parade, Manchester

2008    Nothing to Declare, Triennale of Contemporary Art 4 Oberschwaben, Zeppelin Museum, Friedrichshafen, Germany

2008    Parallax, Fieldgate Gallery, London

2007    Celestial Radio & Love Cannon, Big Chill Festival, Eastnor Castle, Malvern

2007    Love Cannon, Live Performance, Scope Special Projects Basel, Switzerland

2007    Locws International Wales, Live Event, Swansea, Wales

2006    Madame Arkwright’s Salons, Camden Arts Centre, London

2005    Weekending, RMIT, Melbourne, Australia

2004    Coast, Firstsite Gallery, Colchester

2003    Site-Seeing: A Disneyfication of Cities, Künstlerhaus, Vienna

2002    TV Swansong, live webcast, screened: Tate Liverpool, CCA, DCA, ICA, BALTIC

2002    My Father is the Wise Man of the Village, Fruitmarket Gallery, Edinburgh.

2001    The Great Escape, Grizedale, Cumbria, UK

2001    Urban Nomads, South London Gallery, London, UK

2001    Northern Exposure, Pier Arts Centre, Stromness, Orkney, Scotland

2000    Exhibition, My Island Home, V&A Museum, London, UK

2000    Exhibition, Somewhere Special, ACCA, Melbourne, and CCA, Canberra, Australia


FELLOWSHIPS AND RESIDENCIES

 

2015     SA-UK Research Award, Nelson Mandela Legacy Project, hosted by UNISA Art Gallery, University of South

             Australia, Pretoria. Award funded by British Council & Dept of Culture South Africa


2014     Pier Arts Centre Residency, Generation, 25 Years of Contemporary Art in Scotland, Orkney


2013     Canberra National Capital Centenary Fellowship, hosted by Canberra School of Art, Australian National University


2012     HIAP KIASMA Fellowship Helsinki, Helsinki International Artist Programme, Finland


2007     the Land foundation, Chang Mai, Thailand


2006     ComPeung, Chang Mai, Thailand, residency


2005     Résidences ateliers d'artistes des Arques, Le Lot, France


2005     Scottish Sculpture Workshops Research Residency, Aberdeen


2004     Art and Architecture Fellowship Programme, Keilder Waters, Northumberland


2001     Berwick Gymnasium Fellowship, Berwick-Upon-Tweed, Northumberland


2001     Grizedale Arts, Residency, Cumbria


1999     International Artist in Residence, Gertrude Street Gallery, Melbourne, Australia

Teaching

Undergraduate Teaching

Undergraduate programmes on the Fine Art BA Stages 2-4.

Postgraduate Teaching

Postgraduate tutees and contribution to MFA seminar programme



Publications