Vanessa Lawrence works from observation and memory in response to the worlds of ballet, opera, circus arts, fashion & film. Her dynamic drawings brim with excitement and drama, evoking worlds of illusion and make believe, all seen with a keen and empathetic female gaze. Her work spotlights the skill and agency of predominantly female and non binary performance artists within her creative community, offering intimate vistas of these inspiring worlds and unfolding rich narratives of mythology & folklore present in performance arts.

 

Her process involves layers of observation in  response to fleeting moments, captured in an attempt to sustain the visceral and sublime. Expressive markings suggest the traces of energy left behind by the performing body and explore the emotional topography performance engenders within us. Her drawings often explore joy as an act of resistance.   

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In an ever increasingly monitored and recorded world, her live drawings offer a counteractive presence. Live drawing sets an intention to capture a fleeting and captivating moment, producing work that feels celebratory, life affirming and brave.

 

Exhibitions, Prizes & Opportunities 2020-24

• Brighton Festival Artist in Residence May 2024 Live Drawing: Fabrica Gallery, Spiegeltent, Picturehouse.

• The Sussex Contemporary 2023 & 2024.
  The Gallery at Green & Stone Summer Exhibition & Works on Paper 2023 2024.

• Tour Art Prize. Finalist & exhibition Figaro at Glyndebourne October 2022.(www.artuk.org) . 

• Adventures In Apparel. London Fashion Week Exhibition 2022-23

• Waverton Art Prize 2022: Nominated.

• 26 EYES: Bermondsey Project Space 19 - 23 APRIL 2022 

• FIDA Fashion Illustration Drawing Award,Finalist 2020, 2021 & 2022.

• VIA Arts Prize Finalist 2020. I Can’t Breathe, Marcelino Sambé, Nine Stilled Moments, 2020. 

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Education

• Royal Drawing School Drawing Development Year 2021-22

• MA Fine Art. University of Brighton.1996-1998

• PGCE Art & Design, University of Brighton. 1995

• BA Fine Art Painting, University of Brighton. 1991-94

• Artist & Educator for Tate, National Gallery, Barbican Centre, V&A, Guildhall.

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https://vanessalawrencearts.wixsite.com/arts

https://www.instagram.com/vanessalawrencexx/

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