INTERIOR ANGLE, ART DESIGN GALLERY AND FRAMING, CHELMSFORD, ESSEX

SANDY SYKES

Sandy Sykes is a highly regarded painter, printmaker and maker of artist books.

Drawing is the basis of her entire philosophy and vision. It is essential to the creation of her work in any discipline. Sketchbooks are used initially by the artist as an instant way of linking, collecting and developing ideas.

An interest in literature and visual imagery throughout history, and from many different cultures allows her to create unique narratives, which reflect a poetic and often wry humour. The darkness of life is juxtaposed with our natural human vivacity and our sense of light and hope.

Her awareness of the natural world is a catalyst to her inspiration. She observes the animal life around her and uses the comedy and tragedy of animal posturing to reveal the social and political conduct of humans. As half the world population starves, others struggle for the next pair of shoes.

After achieving a BA (Hons) in Painting at Leeds Metropolitan University, Sandy moved on to study for a Fellowship and an MA in Printmaking at Wimbledon School of Art and Design. A successful lecturing career followed. After many years in London, Sykes moved her studio to Essex where she is now surrounded by fields, the sky and estuary, where the river meets the sea. The boundaries created by such natural phenomena echo the manmade boundaries of different cultures and countries, which cause such friction and which are often alluded to in Sykes’ work.

Since 1970 Sykes has exhibited widely both nationally and internationally in solo and group shows, some of which have toured in Britain, Europe, USA and Russia. Represented at International Art Fairs in New York, Chicago and London, her work is also held in numerous Public Collections including Tate Britain, Victoria and Albert Museum, The Museum of Modern Art and Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

Sykes’ work is highly collectable and sought after by sources worldwide and the artist has received many prizes for her work. Some of the most recent ones include award winner at the ‘International Print Triennale Krakow 2009’ and finalist in the Sovereign European Art Award 2008.