| Gowri Savoor was born in Leicester, England in 1972 and is currently living and working in Vermont, USA. |
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statement
I like to draw. Inspired by nature and childhood fables, I explore the spaces that exist between two worlds – that of childhood memory and my current existence.
Blurring the boundaries between reality, memory and myth, I present characters in my drawings with situations that deal with loss, with vulnerability and with feelings of displacement. Then finally, observing their survival in imposed climates of tension.
In enabling these hybrid forms to undergo a process of metamorphosis, I can address my questions on history, on culture, family and the home – How is it defined? And where does it exist?
My process is one of construction, creating form through repetitive mark making and layering which is informed by photographic self-portraits.
The work creates a space where myth meets memory, a crossing of worlds, where fable and experience are one and the same.
curriculum vitae
exhibitions
Sept ‘08 112th Annual Open Exhibition, Juried show, Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club,
New York, NY
Sept ‘08 ‘Bestiarum Vocabulum’, Rosenberg Gallery, Goucher College, Baltimore, MD
Aug ‘08 ‘Johnson Works: Downtown Outdoor Sculpture Show’, Johnson, VT
May '08 'Metaphor Minds', Julian Scott Memorial Gallery, Johnson, Vermont. Other artists: Gerard Haggerty, Ed Smith, Sachiko Akiyama, Denis Versweyveld and Angelo Arnold.
Oct ‘07 Nature Scopes, Geumgang Nature Art Pre-Biennale, Korea
Sept ‘07 Solo-exhibition, ’Seed’ Red Mill Gallery, Johnson, Vermont USA
July ‘07 ‘Exposed’, Outdoor Sculpture Show, Stowe, Vermont USA
July ‘05 10th Hebden Bridge Sculpture Trail, Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire UK
June ‘05 ‘Garden of Delights’, Platt Fields, Manchester UK
June ‘04 ‘Garden of Delights’, Platt Fields, Manchester
Jan ‘03 ‘Sangam’, The Urbis, Manchester
Oct ‘02 ‘Moving Stories’, People’s History Museum, Manchester
July ‘02 ‘Together as One’, Commonwealth programme, Chester Tree Festival, Chester UK
Oct ‘94 ‘The Architecture Exhibition’, Manhattan Loft Corporation, Manchester
Oct -94 MTV International Music conference, Manchester
commissions
Nov ‘06 COM-ART Creative Symposium, Creative Documentation, Manchester, UK
Aug ‘06 Irlam and Cadishead Community Festival - design and production of site decor.
July ‘06 ‘The Paper Boat Bike’, mobile boat sculpture. Commissioned by Walk the Plank
June ‘06 Exodus Refugee Festival, Mcr. Design and production of site decor
Sept ‘05 ‘Sea Tremors’, Manchester Dental Hospital. Lime Hospital Arts.
Aug ‘05 10m2 giant gameboard, ‘Play it Safe’. Commissioned by Ordsall Community Arts
June ‘05 ‘Putting Our Dreams to Bed’, commissioned by Manchester International Arts
Mar ‘05 Textile Banner for Surestart Hyde, Flowery Field, Hyde
Nov ‘04 ‘Greatest Show on Earth’, stage set design and production for Eastfeast, Manchester
Oct ‘04 ‘Now We Talkin’, stage set design and production for CAN. Zion Centre, Hulme
July ‘04 ‘Bombay Bovine’, Cow Parade Manchester. Sited at Piccadilly Station, Platform 10
June ‘04 ‘Winds of Change’. Commissioned by Manchester International Arts
Dec ‘03 ‘Lighting the Way’, Radcliffe, Bury
July ‘03 ‘Lazy Summer Days’, People’s History Museum, Manchester
Aug ‘02 ‘Urban Skies’, stage set design and production, commissioned for Cultureshock
Oct ‘01 Giant silk bow, opening of Lowry Designer Outlet centre, for Emerson construction
Mar ‘01 Stage set design and production, for The Lowry, Salford
Sept ‘94 Design and production 250 hand-painted tiles for Casa Tapas, Manchester
Aug ‘93 Design and production of 1000 hand-painted tiles for La Tasca, Deansgate, Mcr
Artworks also in private collections
residencies
Feb ‘06 Vermont Studio Centre, Johnson, Vermont, USA.
Nov ‘06 Vermont Studio Centre, Johnson, Vermont, USA.
June ‘06 Churchtown Primary School, Southport
July ‘05 Hebden Bridge Sculpture Trail, Yorkshire
July ‘03 Properjob Theatre Company, Barnsley
Aug ‘01 Lancaster House, Barbados. Supported by Trafford Council and IWMN
Mar‘95 Shocklach Junior School, Chester
grants, awards and lectures
2008 Visiting Lecture, Artist Critic Series, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA
2007 Full Fellowship Award for the Vermont Studio Center
2006 International Scholarship for Vermont Studio Center residency
2006 Creative Industries Business Lecture Program, Wigan, Manchester UK
2006 Arts Council England, Professional Development Award
2005 and ‘04 Creative Industries Development Award
2002 Arts Council England, Professional Development Grant
articles and press
2007 Geumgang Nature Art Pre-Biennale, Nature Scopes
2007 Stowe Reporter, Exposed sculpture show, Vermont
2005 Hebden Bridge Times, article on Hebden Bridge Sculpture Trail, Yorkshire
2003 Manchester Evening News, feature of ‘Lazy Summer Days’, Manchester
2000 The Gem. Asian Arts Magasine. Bolton, Lancashire
2002 Chester Chronicle. Article, Chester Tree Festival, Chester
1993 Manchester Evening News, review of ‘La Tasca’, Manchester
1993 City Life Magazine, review of ‘La Tasca’, Manchester
education
National Diploma in design (distinction) 1991 Manchester Polytechnic
Foundation course in art and design (commendation) 1991 Manchester Polytechnic
Environmental Arts School, July 2004, North Uist, Outer Hebrides
City and Guilds in pattern cutting and garment construction
career path
designer/maker: since March 2001, I have been working full-time as a freelance artist, often under the business identity ‘Dragonfish Design’. This involved a wide range of art and design commissions for both public and private sectors.
graphic design: between 1993 and 2001, I worked in both graphic and product design positions. Now I undertake a range of design commissions including brochures, posters, stationery, signage.
education and workshops: planning and delivery of educational arts workshops within the community and formal education. Workshop activities include batik&textile work, set&graphic design, festival&carnival work, lantern making and Rangoli.
project management: since 2001, I have worked as a freelance project manager managing outdoor theatre and community arts events.
Currently employment: Development assistant at Vermont Studio Center.