About | Phil Naylor Artist

The inspiration for my work comes from the joy of improvising with drawing and printmaking processes and playing with the visual and optical qualities these explorations throw up.

Reference material for this work is found in places I explore, from windswept islands to city edgelands. A lifelong interest in the balance of natural and human environments, and the associations of geologies, plant communities and living species draw me to extreme or peripheral environments. These are often places where the balance of nature is compromised, areas of change or regeneration, post-industrial landscapes, or specialized habitats of naturally reluctant terrain. Here I find the fuel for my studio work, in mysterious pools, across plains of scattered debris, in adaptations to natural forces, or patterns of suburban development.

Sketchbook drawings made in the field fix these themes and ideas in my mind and inform what I do in the studio, sometimes developing into works in their own right. The discipline of observational drawing has never left me, but it belies an improvisational approach to studio works, where play and intuition takes over, 'letting the brush lead".

Phil Naylor, 2019

Selected Exhibitions & Events

'A Sharp Pencil'‘, Drawings from the collection and invited artists, Falmouth Art gallery, 2020
'Jetsam' recent Monotypes at John Howard Print Studios, (solo) Penryn, Cornwall, 2019
Found’, Celebrating Falmouth Foundation Diploma in Art and Design, Falmouth Art Gallery, 2018
Gallery Tresco, Isles of Scilly, monotypes and drawings from the books, 2018
‘Drawn’ Royal West of England Academy, Bristol, drawings from the ‘Stems’ series, 2017
‘Press Gang’ with Jesse Leroy Smith, celebrating Cornwall’s mining history, Falmouth Art Gallery 2016
‘Ten Years On’, Gallery artists at the Padstow Studio, Cornwall, 2016
‘Pentimenti, Evidenced by Traces’’, Drawing exhibition at Gallery Tresco, Isles of Scilly, 2015
‘Prints from the Crypt’, prints from John Howard print workshop, Crypt Gallery St Ives, 2015
‘Scope’, BA Hons Drawings from Falmouth University, RKB Gallery, Southwalk, London, 2015
‘Drawn’, Royal West of England Academy, Bristol, 2013
‘The Haptic Unknown’, Participant at 'Drawing in University Today' University of Porto, Portugal, 2013
Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition , Etchings, 2011 & 2012
‘Stratamatic’, The Padstow Studio, Cornwall, solo, Landscape Translations in Etching and Drawing, 2011
A4 Printmakers, Open Space Gallery, Penryn (Open), 2010
Wrexham Print International (Monotypes and relief prints), 2009
‘Originals’ National Print Exhibition, Mall Galleries (Monotypes), 2009 & Winner of the Fenton Arts Trust

Award for Outstanding Printmaking)

‘FAB7’ Kingston University & Grand Valley University, USA (monotype), 2008
Wrexham Print International, photo- etchings, 2007
‘Originals’ National Print Exhibition, Mall Galleries, London, 2006
Open Print 2004, Royal West of England Academy, Bristol, 2004
‘The Big Draw’, Coordinator of ‘Transcribe!’, community drawing project National Maritime Museum, Falmouth, and the Falmouth Polytechnic Society, 2003 &2004 (Winner of the Big Draw Barbara Whatmore prize 2003 presented by Quentin Blake)
‘6th Edition Biennale Internationale d’art Miniature 2002’, Salle Augustin Chenier, 2002 Ville Marie, Quebec, Canada (etchings)
11th International Print Biennale Varna, Bulgaria, 2001
‘2001 Space Doubt’, Studio 39, Barbican, Plymouth, painting, 2001
6th International Art Triennale, The State Museum of Majdanek, WW2 concentration camp in Lublin, Poland. Monotypes. 2000
International Small Engraving Salon, Florean Museum, Carbonari, Romania, 2000
3rd International Graphic Triennale, Museum & Gallery Bitola, Macedonia, 2000
19th Miniprint International, Cadaques, Spain ,1999
Cheltenham Open Drawing, Cheltenham College of Art, Kunstlerwerkstaat Banhoff Westend, Berlin; University of Lincs & Humberside 1998-9
Contemporary Print, Concourse Gallery, Barbican Centre, London, 1998
‘Intergrafia’, 18th International Print Triennial, Krakow, Poland.1997
‘Boundless’ – National Open Print Exhibition, Huddersfield Art Gallery,1996
International Independent Exhibition of Prints, Kanagawa Prefectural Gallery, Japan ,1995
Original Print Gallery, Temple Bar, Dublin. (Group), 1995
‘The Bloodshot Eye’, Group Exhibition, 1994-96, touring to: The Gallery in Cork Street, London; Midland Arts Centre, Birmingham, Plymouth Arts Centre; Royal Cornwall Museum Gallery, Truro;
'Michael Rothenstein Trophy' Printmakers Council National Print Open, 1994-5, touring to: Crescent Gallery, Scarborough & Letharby Gallery St. Martins School of Art, London
'Rexel - Derwent National Drawing Competition', Glos. College of H.E.1994
'Print Europe', Printmakers Council International Exhibition, Barbican Centre, London 1991-2
'RWEA National Print Exhibition', Bristol. 1991
Newlyn Society of Artists, selected and open entry exhibitions. 1990-95

Curriculum Vitae

Head of Drawing, Falmouth University, 2016
Head of Drawing and Foundation Studies, Falmouth University 2011-16
External Examiner (2007-11) & Lead Moderator, University of Arts London Awarding Body 2012-15
Author and Instigator of BA Hons Drawing at Falmouth University 2011
Course Leader, Foundation in Art & Design, Falmouth University 2002-11
Senior Lecturer in Printmaking, BA Hons Illustration, Falmouth University 1996-2008 (PT concurrent)
Lecturer / SL in Fine Art, Printmaking & Drawing, Falmouth Foundation Art and Design 1988-2001
Lecturer in Printmaking, Plymouth College of Art Foundation Diploma (fractional) 1984-7
Lecturer in Fine Art, GlosCAT (Cheltenham) (fractional) 1983-5
Fellowship in Fine Art Printmaking, Gloucs. College of Art and Design (Cheltenham) 1982-3

Co-director ‘Bellagraphica.com’, specialists in the Modern Colour Woodcut 2005 -

Education

M.A. Fine Art (Authographic Printmaking) Chelsea School of Art, 1982
BA Hons Fine Art, Gloucestershire College of Art & Design, 1981
Studied and variously employed / self-employed in landscape architecture, horticulture and landscape

contracting during the period from 1969 - 1977