Rodney Harris



Rodney Harris
Spike Sculpture, Spike Island, 133 Cumberland Road, Bristol, BS1 6UN
Tel: 0117 9442004 Mob: 07773095534
www.jacksonharris.co.uk
rodney952@btinternet.com


My work as an artist nationally has mainly focused on commissioned site specific public artwork. Socially engaged practice is an integral part of the process. I have developed these skills into facilitating professional development programs using performative sculptural activities designed for specific disciplines and professionals within the public and private sector.

Current Commissions and Contracts:


Sculptor in Residence, Liverpool University, Capital of Culture 2008. Based in The Science Communication Unit.

Public Sculpture Commission from Notre Dame High School in Norwich, Norfolk and LSI Architects Ltd. The work aims to enhance the external landscape of the school. Anticipated opening in spring 2007.

Public Sculpture Commission from South Gloucestershire Council for the Shield Centre retail development in Filton, South Gloucestershire, currently in the planning application stage. The aim is to restore and remind people of the history of the site, designed with the local history group and a local school, a launderette relief sculpture is to be carved into a building on the site of a former community laundry. Planning permission was granted in October 2006.

I work freelance for Ibstock Building Products Ltd on a range of contracts, mainly carving blocks, mould making, glazing and design advice.

Artist in education for Creative Partnerships Bristol and Thames Gateway, London, working on a variety of projects from teacher development, practical workshops and environmental improvements. Most notably “Earthworks”, the creation of a pseudo-archaeological site in Basildon Essex and as artist in residence in a school in Bristol.

Company Director, Secretary and Treasurer of Spike Island Sculpture Ltd, a not for profit charitable organisation providing subsidised studio space and facilities for artists.

I have been devising and facilitating practical workshops for the Sir John Soane Museum in Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London, aiming to demythify and understand the range of objects which can be found in the museums collection.

I also devise training and workshops for Education staff and children through the START scheme run by Take Art! Ltd in Somerset. This includes working with special needs children.



Recent Commissions:(selected)


Public Sculpture Commission from Clifton Place Action Group in Bristol. The aim is to work with local community groups, especially the Somali Community, to produce sculpture to enhance a new green meeting area which represents the identity of the multi ethnic community. The sculptures reflect both the defensive and the vulnerable nature of different communities within a multi-cultural demography.

Commissioned by Performing Arts Laboratories Ltd, London (PALLABS.org) as a Co-Director of a Laboratory of Learning for Teachers and Artists who work with challenging and volatile young people. My role is to devise performative sculptural activities which address the most difficult aspects of working in this field for a selected group of teachers and artists. I am also working as Co-Director of a Food Lab, the first of which took place in November 2005.

Collaboration with Artist Valda Jackson on a major public art commission for the new Learning & Family Centre in St Pauls Bristol from Bristol City Council. Opened June 05.

Creative Advisor for Creative Partnerships Bristol. Arts Council of England Initiative aimed at enhancing creativity in Education. Developing and delivering teacher training projects. Lead artist at Speedwell Technology College and Speedwell School, where I facilitated “Tree Project” which focused attention on environmental improvement and enhanced self esteem. Film launched in July 2004.

Commissioned by Environment Department at Bristol City Council to collaborate on the development of innovative sculptural ideas for use in traffic management schemes.

Commissioned by Spike Island Artspace as member of an interpretation group researching methods of interpreting contemporary art. First Journal Published 2005

I am part of a ongoing arts/science collaborative research project run by Performing Arts Laboratories Ltd (funded by the Wellcome Trust) with plans for a residency within the Department of Physics at Liverpool University during the City of Culture 2008.

A Director of AVAG Ltd, a limited company coordinating the sustainable ecological redevelopment of a brownfield site in St Werburghs, Bristol.

Arts Council England South West Grant Funded residency/Commission at Sefton Park Junior School, Bristol, to design and make in collaboration with all school stakeholders a sculpture to improve the school environment.

Commissioned by the Department of Regeneration & Development, Thanet Borough Council in Ramsgate, Kent, for an Upholstered Brick Three Piece Suite. The completed work was a shortlisted finalist in the prestigious Rouse Kent Public Art Award 2001. Features in the recently published Public Art in the South East Book, Arts Council England.

Commissioned by Exeter Health Care Arts at The Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital for a Public Sculpture to enhance the main entrance. The effect of the work is part of the Evaluation and Research Project for Exeter Health Care Arts by Arts for Health at the Faculty of Art & Design, Manchester Metropolitan University.



Bibliography

2006 - World Contemporary Public Ceramic Art, Shaoshan University Press, Hunan Province, China; [Ed] Zhang Yushan
2004 - Public Art in the South East, Arts Council South East. Book.
2003 - Brickworks; Gwen Heeney, University of Philadelphia Press
2002 - ‘Loco-motiv’ The Guardian Newspaper, 5th March 02
2002 - ‘Renaissance’ LGN – Local Government News, Jan 02
2001 - Editorial, Art &ArchitecturePublicArtJournal, 01
2000 - Four page colour feature in Millennium Edition of Ibstock Art & Architecture.


Performance/Appearance

2005 – “The man without a belt”, a ten minute live performance performed at Triskel Arts Centre, Cork, Ireland, performed during the European City of Culture Celebrations.
2001 - ITV Feature in “The House”, HTV West Production.
2007 - World Premiere "After it has been" by Love and Harris, Episode I. March, Arnolfini Live Art Weekender. Bristol.



Awards:

2001 - Arts Council South West Grant, Residency/Commission, Sefton Park School.
2001 - Shortlisted finalist for the Rouse Kent Public Art Award for “Three Piece Suite”.
2000 – Millenium Fellowship Award to develop and coordinate artists workshops during 2000 based on the exhibition The 100 Languages of Children.
1996 – Invitation to the winter atelier at the international artists studios in Keckesmet, Hungary.
1995 – The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust Award for Sculpture in Brick.


Education:

1989 BA(Hons) 3D Design, UWE, Bristol 2.1
1990 MA(Ceramics) Cardiff School of Art



Interests, new work and development.



I have recently completed a dance course in Contact Improvisation which extends my sculptural interests into the body and movement. For example exploring weight/balance, gravity/relaxation and visual appearance.

Devising a live art performance for live/filmed delivery following the completion of the Goat Island Summer School.

Making a photographic exhibition “Gigantic Detail’, which explores the pride, sexuality, beauty, power and defiance found in details of nature and my garden.

I enjoy swimming, running, live art, growing potatoes, surfing, collecting, making, reading, and my family.


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