Ivan Grieve Devon, United Kingdom
Working with a range of materials I develop surfaces through sensory expressions, that evolve into landscapes, rivers,seas and oceans. These become dynamic and intimate works that emerge from gestural mark making and experimentation with pigments and grounds. Actively collaborating as an environmental artist.
In my artistic journey, I remain committed to an evolutionary process, tirelessly experimenting with innovative ideas for the integration of materials and canvases. This quest is powered by a drive to forge a distinct visual language, one that resonates with immediacy while holding a deep, conceptual foundation.
The essence of my work lies in the use of subject matter and materials as vessels for a burgeoning form of expression, one that finds its roots in the instinctual gestures of drawing. This exploration often leads me to incorporate found materials or site-specific pigments, thereby fostering a profound connection with my subjects. This approach not only honors the intrinsic value of natural elements but also highlights a commitment to sustainability and environmental advocacy.
My creative process often revisits preliminary sketches and works, considering them not as mere starting points but as layers in an ongoing dialogue. These pieces may undergo various transformations—be it through collage techniques or digital manipulation—to further probe and expand their narrative strength.
The dynamic interplay between natural scenes—be it the changing moods of landscapes and cityscapes, the ebb and flow of rivers, seas, and oceans—serves as a boundless source of inspiration. These elements provide a constantly shifting canvas against which a myriad of ideas can be projected, tested, and refined. It is within this ever-changing natural theater that I find the impetus to explore new horizons and dive into the uncharted waters of creativity, always with the goal of uncovering new possibilities.
At the core of my practice is a unwavering commitment to environmental art and collaboration. This dedication not only informs the thematic and material choices in my work but also underscores my role as an artist in today's world: to act as a conduit for awareness, sparking conversations and inspiring action towards the preservation of our planet.
My journey is an incessant pursuit of a visual dialogue that is both novel and immediately significant—an endeavor to not only capture the fleeting beauty of our world but to illuminate the urgent need to protect and cherish it.
Artwork
Saltmarsh 2 Kitakata, Print, 2024, £65
The Wall 1, Print, 2024, £65
Late June, Sharpham., Pastel on paper, 2022, £420
Winter , Spring and Summer swatch one., Digital image, 2022
A Dartmoor Wood, Pastel , 2022, £480
“Spring in the woods” Dartmoor 2., Pastel and mixed media, 2022, £510
Dartmoor looking across to Yelverton, Mixed media using found natural pigment., 2022, £355
Sharpham Marsh in December, Mixed media, 2021, £320
November at Sharpham Marsh, Mixed media, 2021, £320
Sharpham Marsh in Winter, Mixed media, 2021, £320
“The Carriage Drive in Spring”, Sharpham Estate., Pastel, 2022, £480
Longmarsh to Sharpham, Mixed media collage, 2020, £400
Early Summer, Sharpham., Mixed media, 2022, £210
The river Dart in Spring, Dartington., Mixed media, 2022, £210
“Midsummer”, Sharpham., Pastels, 2022, £430
“Summer Evening”, Totnes., Mixed media, 2022, £510
Projects and exhibitions
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The Saltmarsh Project01/03/2023 — ongoing The Saltmarsh project is part of the wider Bioregional learning centre I was invited to participate on as a collaborative environmental artist after a pice of my work was seen and subsequently featured. I have worked on the saltmarsh project finding sources of inspiration to visually communicate the important and sensitive role of the marshes... [Read more] |
The river Dart in Devon, Totnes | Details |
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Autumn Landscapes03/09/2022 — ongoing The foundation for this project started months back in the early days of winter 2021. Continual learning and experimenting have encouraged to keep the project going through one year and maybe more of seasonal changes. The colours and shapes surface patterns and marks are becoming clearer and more confident. The idea of seasonal swatches of... [Read more] |
Totnes, Devon. | Details |
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Summer landscapes01/06/2022 — ongoing The foundation for this project started months back in the early days of winter 2021. Continual learning and experimenting have encouraged to keep the project going through one year and maybe more of seasonal changes. The colours and shapes surface patterns and marks are becoming clearer and more confident. The idea of seasonal swatches of... [Read more] |
Devon, Totnes | Details |
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Spring Landscapes21/03/2022 — 01/06/2022 Having really enjoyed developing the format and experimentation during the winter months I decided to continue to make a spring seasonal exploration. Still using found site specific pigments with found site specific tools to initiate my field sketches. I begun to develop drawings and to use different formats and media. |
Devon, Totnes | Details |
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Winter Landscapes31/10/2021 — 21/03/2022 Researching and making visual notes of a season in Devon. I returned frequently to the same spot to observe and listen, taking in the sense of place during a season. Through each season I try and get a “feel” of the season to be represented from the drawings into some paintings. |
Devon, Totnes | Details |