Richard Blackwell
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| Mr Richard Blackwell |
“My work is an illustration or activation of a space perceived by the viewer and implied in simple graphic terms. They are objects that attempt to be 'reverse' sculptures, the perception of which is activated and deactivated by the viewer moving around them.”
Mr Richard Blackwell, an artist based in Canberra has won a Fulbright Postgraduate Scholarship to go to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago for two years to undertake a Masters in Fine Art.
Richard’s specialty is in the area of innovative use of printmedia. He makes intricate and beautiful objects out of printed materials that reflect a landscape or architecture.
“A strong theme of my recent work is to challenge the concept of visual perception in the digital age,” Richard said.
“On my Fulbright, I will take a multidisciplinary, experimental approach to the production of work, using cutting edge materials, manufacturing techniques and applied finishes in a way which simultaneously reflects identifiable, historical techniques used by artists for centuries, and the tangible surfaces and materials of contemporary architecture, consumer technology, interior and urban spaces,” Richard said.
Richard said that he chose the Printmedia Workshop at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago as it has a foremost reputation in print making design but also because of the sculpture, design, fashion, fibres, media and architecture departments surrounding it. The program allows me to branch out and act as an interface for different approaches.
Richard has a BA (visual) with 1st class Honours and University Medal (score of 95), Printmedia and Drawing from the Australian National University School of Art, Canberra, ACT. He has won three ANU Emerging Artists Support Scheme Exhibition Awards; the 2008 Peter and Lena Karmel Anniversary Prize for Academic Achievement in Visual Arts and the 2008 ACT Certificate of Excellence in the Visual/performing Arts 2004.
In addition to his studies he maintains a prolific studio based practice and a full schedule of exhibitions, artistic residencies and other projects. He has a growing presence in the Australian art scene and is held in both public and private collections around the country and internationally. Richard is also involved in education at the school from the Australian National University School of Art - where he also works as a sessional academic, lecturing and co-ordinating courses at the school.
