Mike Lewisohn
He began to work as a printmaker in London in 1983. Two years later he was awarded a painting scholarship to the Royal Academy of Art in Copenhagen.
At the time, contemporary art in Denmark was influenced by Neo-Expressionism and he experimented in figurative symbolism using bold marks and strong colours. On his return to the UK in 1986, he moved to Bristol. It was an exciting place and time to be an artist. His painting underwent a process of reduction and became more abstract. He used organic forms that were based on the patterns found in natural world. Environmental symbolism played a role where arcs, trees and seeds became constant themes in his work. His paintings became a celebration of the rhythms and beauty of nature.
His move to Clare in 1996 represented a deep need to be immersed in the natural world. It’s sheer beauty and timeless qualities had he bewitched. His art continued, and in 2006 he began a four year photography project based on a study of the natural surfaces of Clare. He combined pairs of photographs, the patterns in each one effecting the other. He travelled around the county exploring and recording it’s huge variety of surfaces. A book of images resulted, entitled, Clare; A detailed look at the Natural Surfaces of Co. Clare.
Exhibitions
1992 Sue Williams Gallery, London – paintings
1991 Gallery 10, London – paintings
1990 Castberg Fine Art, London – works on paper
1990 Theatre Royal, Old Vic, Bristol – paintings
1990 Sue Williams Gallery, London – paintings
1986 Royal Academy of Art, Rabskaelderen, Copenhagen –
2016 Glór Gallery, Ennis ‘Green, 40 Shades of Clare’
2009 Iniscealtra Festival of Arts, Mountshannon, Co.Clare
1995 Kilvert Gallery, Hay on Wye, Wales
1994 London Contemporary Art Fair. Represented by Sue Williams Gallery
1994 Kilvert Gallery, Hay on Wye, Wales
1994 ‘Friends of the Tate’ exhibition, Truro, Cornwall
1992-1987 Lynne Stern Associates, London
1992 Still Price Court Twivy D’Souza Lintus Ltd, London
1991 Glen Wickham Gallery, London – Amnesty International
1991 Praxis Gallery, Bristol – ‘Three Painters’
1991 Olympia International Art Fair, London
1988 Allsop Gallery, Bridport – ‘Two Painters’
1987 Barbican, London, Athena Art Awards
1987 Arnolfini Gallery, Bristol – ‘Three Painters’
1984 Booth House Gallery, nr Huddersfield
PUBLICATIONS
2011 ‘WISEWAYS’, for Raheen Hospital – book design, type layout & pre- production
2009 ‘CLARE; A Detailed Look At The Natural Surfaces Of Co.Clare’ – A book of my
own photographs and graphic images. Book design, type layout & pre- production
2006 ‘The Geometry of Symbols’, A publication where I examine their forms and refer to
their application and universality
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
2002-2006 L.I.T Limerick School of Art and Design-
Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Degree in Graphic Design; Grade; 2:1
(Photoshop CS, Illustrator CS, InDesign CS)
Bachelor of Arts: Design in Communications; Pass with Merit –
1992-1993 South Bristol College, City & Guilds – Teaching Certificate
1985-1986 Royal Academy of Art, Copenhagen – Painting Scholarship
1978-1982 Epsom School of Art – Higher National DiplomaWORK
2018-2008 Glór Gallery, Ennis – exhibition hanger
2017 Joint selector for ‘Halcyon Days’ exhibition at Glór Gallery, Ennis
2010 City Museum, Ennis – hung photo archival exhibition for Clare county council
2008 ‘CELT’ (Centre for Environmental Living & Training) – Logo Design
1996-1993 The Gallery, Bristol – member of steering and selection committee
1995-1987 Employed by Bristol University to teach Art and Graphics at Bristol Prison
1993-1991 Arnolfini, Bristol – training courses for teachers of art and design
1992-1988 Youth Education Service, Bristol – Training Supervisor of Art, Design & Printmaking
1990 ‘Emergency Radio Music Station 99.9FM’, Bristol – graphic design and poster
1988 ‘Amnesty International’, London – top selling T-shirt design
1986 ‘Werner Music Recording Studios’, Copenhagen – large mural for recreation area