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"Quarter Acre Series - No 1" by Neil Carroll Oil on canvas 80x100cm
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"There is certainly a duality in my work of, on the one hand, the light on the landscape, allotments, and pigeon cots, and on the other hand, the common thread running through it all, is that it is home, where I come from, where I grew up. The memories and my family background relating to this particular place and the associations attached are what feed and fuel all of my work.
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It's the place, and its ever changing moods, coupled with my need to put down what I feel for it, that I think gives my work its soul and substance. The magnetic attraction of the place for me is very powerful, much like the homing pigeon returning back to its own particular spot.
The changing light and weather conditions mean that the same place always looks fresh, interesting and different. The skies at Rhymney are always outstanding, the way the sun and clouds move over the landscape, picking out bright spots and casting huge moving shadows is something I find compelling. I can stand in one spot and paint a different image every time I work.
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"Quarter Acre Series - Number 3" by Neil Carroll Oil on canvas 41x51cm
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The small scale hand made structures in the allotments, crafted with found materials, and painted in colours of available spare paint pots, fascinate me. There is a real culture there, and they have been developed in the same place for over 60 years. The shapes and patterns of the sheds and pigeon cots, and the way they fit together, and in with the surroundings, is something that I grew up with and have always been interested in. From time to time the sheds and cots are taken apart, moved, or re-arranged, re-structured and painted in fresh colours. This ever changing array of Welsh Valleys culture is a very vibrant subject for me."
Neil Carroll
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An important source of influence and inspiration for Neil has been the Rhymney poet Idris Davies, famous for his "Bells of Rhymney" poem (turned into a song by Pete Seeger and covered by the Byrds and Bob Dylan). His paintings, like Idris' poems, are based upon a particular place and time.
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"Quarter Acre Series - Number 5" (detail)
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Neil Carroll is also influenced by the work of American artists Winslow Homer, Edward Hopper through to Andrew Wyeth.
EDUCATION:
Neil Carroll was educated at Bedwellty Grammar School, Newport School of Art and UWIC in Cardiff.
He has a first-class BA(Hons) in Illustration and a Postgraduate Art Teacher's Certificate (University of Wales).
EVENTS:
BBC Wales Arts Correspondent Jon Gower recorded a half-hour programme about Neil's work for "First Hand", (Radio Wales Arts Show) broadcast in October 2001.
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EXHIBITIONS:
2002
Welsh Artist of the Year, St. Davids Hall, Cardiff.
2001
Albany Gallery, Cardiff.
2001
National Eisteddfod of Wales - Denbigh.
2001
Welsh Artist of the Year, St. Davids Hall, Cardiff.
1999
"After the Bell" exhibition of past & present school staff, Ross-on-Wye.
1997
Staff & Sixth Form Exhibition, Ross-on-Wye.
1996
Albany Gallery, Cardiff (Summer Exhibition).
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"Quarter Acre Series - Number 4"
Acrylic on canvas 51x61cm
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1995
The Laing Art Exhibition, Old Library Arts Centre, Cardiff.
1986
South Glamorgan Young Artists (work purchased by County Council).
1985
Readers' Digest/Association of Illustrators Exhibition, Covent Garden, London.
1984
Rubicon Dance Centre, Cardiff.
1984
"Children" Exhibition, St.David's Hall, Cardiff.
1980
Welsh Group Exhibition (also '84 & '82).
1980
Represented Newport School of Art at the British Graduates Show, Central School of Art, London.
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"Quarter Acre Series - Number 6"
Acrylic on canvas 41x51cm
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"Quarter Acre Series - Number 2"
Acrylic on canvas 25x30cm
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To contact the artist:
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E-mail:
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NEIL CARROLL
