Rowan Corkill (London, England) Vigilant Things – Cockatoo. 2017-18
Rowan Corkill (London, Englsand). Vigilant Things – Cockatoo. 2017-18. Taxidermy Umbrella Cockatoo, Beads, Deer Teeth, Boar Tusks, Small Bones, Bells, Fabric.
Animal died of natural causes, ethically sourced in the United Kingdom.
Collection of Guy Berube. Gift from the artist.
ARTIST BIO:
Rowan Corkill was born in Scotland in 1986. He received a BA in photography & Electronic media at Robert Gordons University, Aberdeen. Followed by an MSC in Sound Art & Design at Duncan of Jordanston University, Dundee. Rowan Corkill has exhibited nationally and internationally with shows in Europe, North & South America and Canada. The artist has been working with nature as a prominent theme since 2010.
The artists practice is focused around mankind’s ongoing relationship with nature and the exploration of different cultures and civilisations, of which many have deep relationships and connections with the natural world. Rowans works possess a sense of power as well as fragility, a duality which echoes that which exists within nature. In recent sculptural works the artist has explored the protective qualities of materials, both physical and symbolic.
Materials play a strong role in the artist’s practice, particularly the use of animals and plants which are collected and used in most of his works. Animal hides and skins are incorporated into sculptural works through taxidermy techniques which the artist has practiced for over 10 years. These taxidermy pieces do not fit within standard notions of the art form, instead of favouring the realism of Victorian taxidermy his works draw more from ethnographic objects such as African Nkisi objects or Nagaland head trophies. The use of taxidermy in his work acts as a foundation on which to apply materials, most of which are imbued with symbolic meanings which elevate the objects beyond the norms of the everyday. These symbolisms, which cultures have applied to almost every facet of the natural world, drive the artist to explore new materials and provide a never-ending appreciation for both nature and mankind’s creative interpretations of it.
All animals have been ethically sourced.
EDUCATION
2010 MSC Sound Art & Design. DJCA Dundee University
2008 B.A (hons) Photography & electronic Media, Fine Art .RGU Aberdeen
SOLO SHOWS
2023. Paradise Lost. Fifth-floor gallery. Brighton University campus Hastings. UK
2022/23. Elephants Breath. Solaris. St Leonards on Sea. UK
2022. Taphos. A Space Gallery. Hastings. UK
2021. A Space Gallery.Hastings. UK
2018. Warp & Weft. Hastings Old town. UK
2018. Seakale. St Leonards On Sea. UK
2016. The Seeker. 139 Artspace. London. UK
2015. Ablutio. La Petite Mort Gallery. Ottawa. Canada
2013 Nigredo. Format Gallery. Milan. Italy
2010 Image after Memory. Project Slogan. Aberdeen. UK
2009 BankStreet Gallery Presents. Kirriermuir. UK
SELECTED GROUP SHOWS
01-28.11.2021- Remains. DOG Gallery. Hastings. UK
01-31.05.2021- Ceramics show- DOG Gallery. Hastings. UK
08.2020- 01.2021- Hastings open 2020. Hastings Museum. Hastings. UK
01-31.12.2020. And Guess What? Luisa Catucci Gallery. Berlin. Germany
01-30.08.2020- Full frontal Eastbourne. Eastbourne town center. UK
18-20.10.2019. Common Ware. Common Clay for Art licks. Peer gallery. London. UK
13-31.08.2019. Solaris Summer Show. Solaris. St Leonards-On-Sea. UK
03-18.04.2019. Simply Untitled. Isorropia HomeGallery. Milan. Italy
09-30.02.2019. D.O.G Gallery. Opening Show. Old Hastings. UK
14-16.03.2019. Natura Mirabilis. Luisa Catucci Gallery. Tour & Taxis. Brussels. Belgium
08-11.11.2018. FotoFever. Carrousel Du Louvre. Paris. France
12-15.10.2018. Art Verona. Luisa Catucci Gallery. Verona. Italy
27-30.09.2018. Position Berlin. Luisa Catucci Gallery. Berlin. Germany
02.09.2018. Coastal Currents Art Fair. Hastings. UK
24.08.2018. Natura Mirabilis. Luisa Catucci Gallery. Berlin. Germany
28.07.2018. Solaris Summer Show. St Leonards On Sea. UK
2017. Canadian Art & Danya Danger. Ottowa. Canada
2016. Evening at Le Petit Salon. Ottawa. Canada
2016. The Forewarned. Galleria Olinala & LPM Projects. Puerto Vallarta. Mexico
2015. Summa International Art Fair. LPM Projects. Madrid. Spain
2015. Keep me Posted. Art-Hub. Deptford. London
2015. Modern Panic. Guerrilla Zoo. Apiary Studios. Hackney. London
2015. Balak 3# Project Balak. Charleville-Mezieres. France
2014 The Grass Grows. Basel. Switzerland
2014 Antiritrato. Milan Photo Festival. Milan. Italy
2014 Hang Woman: The Arrested Feminine. Shwarts Gallery. Hackney, London
2013 The Others Fair. Turin. Italy
2013 London Calling 013, Brick Lane, London.
2013 Hot One Hundred, Shwarts Gallery, Hackney, London.
2013 The Catalyst Belfast Photography Festival. Belfast. Northern Ireland
2012 1 Minute Autohypnosis 11. Online project. Mute Sound.org
2012 Thank You for Creating London. CLR Projects. The Arch Gallery London.
2012 Hatched. Hatch Space studios. Deptford London.
2011 Open Online .Fermynwoods. Contemporary Arts Center NorthHampton.
2010 DJCA Masters Show. DJCA Dundee. Scotland
2010 Resonance FM ‘Experimental Orchestra’ Kill Your Timid Notion Festival, DCA, Dundee. Scotland
2010 Murmur Collective. DJCA Dundee. Scotland
2009 The London Group Annual Show. Menier Gallery. Southwark. London
2009 The Tomorrow People. Hackney Wicked festival, Elevator Gallery. London
2009 Society of Scottish Artists Annual Show. Vision Building. Dundee. Scotland
2009 Postcards from the edge-Visual Aids. Metro Pictures. New York. America
2009 New Highland Graduates. Touring Exhibition of Highlands. Scotland
2008 RSA Student Exhibition, Edinburgh. Scotland
2008 Grays School of Art Degree Show. Aberdeen. Scotland
2008 Project Wall Space, Montrose. Scotland
2008 In Out, Feminist Today, Aberdeen University. Aberdeen. Scotland
2008 Project Wall Space Christmas Show. Angus. Scotland
2007 Margins- Limousine Bull Gallery. Aberdeen. Scotland
2003 Group show- Lomond Art Gallery. Fife. Scotland
2003 Glenrothes College final year show. Fife. Scotland
2003/2004 Pittenweem art festival. Fife. Scotland
AWARDS
2009 Scottish Art Council Bursary Fund
2009 Society of Scottish Artists New Graduate Award