biography
statement
Colour is one of the main driving forces in my work. Often using life studies or photography as a starting point, my paintings explore the bounds between abstraction and figuration. By distorting or deconstructing figurative images, changing colours and using the effects of the medium to develop the composition, I try to create an interesting ambiguity in my final work. I work mainly in oils but also use watercolour, mixed media and printmaking and enjoy using a wide variety of formats and size.
One project, Relative Journeys : River Kwai Revisited, had an historical bias and tells the story of the experiences of my father as a Far East Prisoner of War in Thailand: "A Solider's Story'. I am currently researching the experience of a civilian, wife and mother, interned in Hong Kong during the same period and hope to produce a parallel body of work telling 'A Mother's story'.
I am also working on a series of paintings in a more figurative style based on the story of Tango.
Please take time to view examples of my work in the galleries. The images on the galleries pages show some of my work, grouped according to the themes of three of my exhibitions. All work marked with 'POA' (price on application) is available for sale. Work marked with a red dot has been sold. I would be happy to email you a price list, further information or images of other work in a series if you get in touch via the contact page.
biography
I was born Sally Porter in Kuwait in 1952 and spent my early years in an Anglo American ex-pat community in the desert. My family returned to the UK when I was six and I passed the rest of my childhood and youth first in Kent and then in Sussex. My haven at school was the art room but somehow timetables and attitudes conspired against me and so, instead of going to art school, I pursued my other great love: the French language, which I studied at the Institut Français in London and the Sorbonne in Paris. In my twenties, I worked for Michelin Tyre Company and then Lucas Industries in both London and Paris. From 1978 to 1989 I worked in the specialist travel industry contracting accommodation and running holiday programmes throughout France, Corsica and the major ski resorts in the European Alps. I worked free-lance whilst my children were growing up.
In 1994 I started going to art classes in West London and gradually built up a portfolio and my confidence as an artist. Between 1999 and 2002, I studied full time for a degree in public art at the University of Surrey, Roehampton, specialising in painting, printmaking and contemporary art criticism. In July 2002, I graduated with first class honours. From 2003-05 I attended the London College of Communications (formerly London College of Printing), which is part of the University of the Arts, London, and studied graphic and experimental printmaking.
From 2002-04 I had a studio at Wimbledon Art Studios. In 2004, I joined Trackside Gallery, London W3, as 'Artist in Residence'. Since January '07 I have been working in my own studio in Chiswick, West London. I also work part-time as a designer for The Prostate Cancer Charity. I live in Chiswick with my husband and family.
As well as working towards exhibitions, I frequently undertake commissions and participate in the annual open studios exhibition in West London, Artists at Home.
A selection of my Relative Journeys : River Kwai Revisited paintings can be viewed in the Member's Bar at The Park Club in Acton, London W3.