Janine Denby
Janine Denby trained in Graphic Arts at Leeds Metropolitan University then went on to specialise in printmaking and in 2003 obtained a Masters Degree from Bradford University. Since graduating she has developed her own unique style of collography printing, often overlaying numerous print blocks to produce highly textured, vividly coloured works celebrating the world around her.
Janine currently divides her time between teaching part-time, running print workshops and producing work in her studio in Halifax, West Yorkshire. She exhibits regularly in local and national exhibitions and is an active member of the Yorkshire print group 'Inkers'. Recent shows have included the 2007 Leeds Art Fair, Bradford's Open Exhibition at Cartwright Hall and the Autumn exhibition at the Millyard gallery, Uppermill.
Smack bang in the centre of Leeds city square I am perching precariously on the top of my old three legged camping stool. It is mid January, 6.30 in the evening and the persistent wind is trying to remove me from my seat. My hot water bottle has gone cold and my long johns, balaclava, extra wide scarf and fury hat with ear flaps no longer resist the freezing air. Despite these conditions I am feeling alert and excited. It has just stopped raining and it is time to make hurried notes and sketches before it starts again.
I am familiar with this place being born and brought up in the not too far away suburb of Pudsey. On many occasions I have visited it, walked past it, walked through it, eaten in it and more recently painted it. This city square has become a recurring subject and one of a number of favoured locations in which I explore the visual changes that take place in urban spaces after dusk.
The city at night has become a favourite theme in my work as I seek to depict the dramatic interplay of light on architectural forms and the rapidly changing reflections flickering elusively on wet ground. For me this is an exciting time when the luminous pockets of intense light contrast dramatically with the dark shadows to create transient 'stage sets' in which daytime reality is replaced by a sense of magic and the unknown.
My recent prints are multicoloured collagraphs, a process that has been chosen for its tactile surface quality, potential for vigorous mark making and ability to create expressive colour combinations. I mainly produce prints in small editions of between 5 and 20. Each print I make is unique depending on the colours and wiping techniques used and often the differences are quite dramatic. I embrace this as a positive and exciting aspect of the collagraph process and exploit its potential within my series of works.
C.V.
Born:
10th February, Pudsey, West Yorkshire
Education & Qualifications:
2001-2003: Master's Degree: Printmaking, Bradford and Ilkley Community college, Bradford.
1996-1997: P.G.C.E. Art & Design (Secondary Ed.), University College of St. Martins, Lancaster.
1992-1995: BA (Hons) Graphic Arts & Design (Illustration), Leeds Metropolitan University, City Site, Leeds.
1991-1992: Foundation in Art & Design, Bradford and Ilkley Community College, Bradford.
Awards:
Most innovative print, Dean Clough Gallery, ‘Another Day’, WYPW show, 2006.
Prizewinner for overall submission, Cartwright Hall, Bradford open exhibition, 2002.
Membership:
Exhibiting member of Leeds Fine Art Club
Exhibiting member of ‘Inkers’ Print Group
Exhibitions:
2007 Art Fair Light, Lights Shopping Centre, Leeds, group exhibition.
2007 Millyard gallery, Uppermill, 'From a Point', Inkers print group
2007 St Gemma's Hospice Art Exhibition, Leeds Grammar School, Leeds
2007 Bradford Open Exhibition, Cartwright Hall, Bradford, selected group show
2007 Leeds Art Fair, Lights Shopping Centre, Leeds, group exhibition
2007 Clocktower Gallery, Sheffield, 'Sense of Identity', Inkers print group
2006 Dean Clough Gallery, Halifax, 'Another Day', WYPW group show
Prize winner: 'Most Innovative Print'.
2006 Leeds Art Library, Leeds, 'Studio 2', group show
2006Yorkshire & Humber European Office, Brussels, 'A Sence of Identity', Inkers print group
2006 Smith Art Gallery, Brighouse, 'Significant Numbers', Inkers print group
2006 Leeds Art Fair, Lights Shopping Centre, Leeds, group show
2005 Midland Hotel, Bradford, 'City Lights'
2005 Millyard Gallery, Uppermill, 'Autumn Exhibition', mixed group show
2005 Positively Purple Gallery, ‘Ad Hoc’, group exhibition
2005 Leeds Design Innovation Centre, Leeds, ‘Studio 2’, group exhibition
2005 Millyard Gallery, Uppermill, ‘A Lasting Impression, Inkers print group
2005 West Yorkshire Print Workshop, Mirfield, ‘Personal Choice’, Inkers print group
2005 Industry Technologies, Delf, two person show
2004 West Yorkshire print Workshop, Mirfield, ‘City Lights’
2004 West Yorkshire Print Workshop, Mirfield, ‘A Personal Choice’, Inkers print group
2004 Manor House, Ilkley, ‘A Personal Choice’, Inkers print group
2004 Gallery Oldham, Oldham, ‘A Lasting Impression’, Inkers print group
2003 Zillah Bell Gallery, Thirsk, ‘Site and Seen’, Inkers’ print group
2003 Dean Clough Galleries, Halifax, ‘New Ink 4’ Bradford College MA show
2003 Love Apple Cafe, Bradford, ‘Intertextualities’, mixed artist’s show
2003 Dales Countryside Museum, Hawes, ‘A Lasting Impression’, Inkers print group
2003 South Sq. Gallery, Bradford, ‘Work in Progress 8’, Bradford College show
2002 Eastthorpe Gallery, Mirfield, ‘Site and Seen’, Inkers print group
2002 Love Apple Cafe, Bradford, ‘Work in Progress 7’, Bradford College show
2002 Priestley Centre, Bradford, ‘Best of Both’, Inkers print group
2002 Cartwright Hall, Bradford Open,
Prize winner for overall submission
2002 RIBA, Site Gallery, Leeds, ‘Site and Seen’, Inkers print group
2001 Vernon Mill, Stockport, ‘Breaking Spaces II’, Inkers print group
2001 Butcher's Arms, ‘Passage’, Inkers print group
2001 Eastthorpe Gallery, Mirfield, ‘Passage’, Inkers print group
2000 North Light gallery, Huddersfield, ‘Passage’, Inkers print group
2000 Art Link ExChange Gallery, Hull, Christmas mini print exhibition
2000 makers Gallery, Eva, Mirfield, Open Exhibition
1999 Leeds City Art Gallery, Leeds, Artist’s Show
1999 Easthorpe Gallery, Mirfield, mixed exhibition
1999 Black Friars Arts Centre, Boston, Lincolnshire, mixed exhibition
1998 Holmfirth Civic Hall, Holmfirth Art week, open exhibition
1996 Octagon Centre, Sheffield, Great Sheffield Art Show
1995 Leeds City Art Gallery, Leeds, Artist’s Show
1995 Pudsey Library, Pudsey, solo show