George French (b.1949). A life of art and craft came to fruition in 1995 when I created 'CONTEMPORARY RUSTIC ART'. Under this banner I sculpt, draw, write, photograph and do performance.
Qualifications
Qualifications
B.A.(Hons)Politics. Certificate in moral philosophy
Certificate in counselling skills
F.E.teacher
Community art celebrant
Active long term projects
Active long term projects
1992- 'STANHOLME'
A 1920”s wooden shack studio in an ancient woodland. This is the art studio as the off-grid, unplugged, carbon neutral creative workspace for the 21st century.
1994- 'TREE CIRCUS'
An allotment “nature-craft” artwork next to the public footpath at “STANHOLME”. Here topiary skills are used to create a botanic circus in which trees perform tricks for our reflection and amusement.
2001- 'ARTISTS JOURNAL'
2007- 'THE LAING'
A literary project with the mission to visit the Laing art gallery, Newcastle, one hundred times. On each visit the target is to write a 1,000 words on high art in our age of chav and global meltdown. Almost completed.
2010 current projects
2010 current projects
PENSIONER PHOTOGRAPHS
A single edition of (6) photographs on the theme of pensioner as addict, artist, loner etc.
GRAFFITI PHOTOGRAPHS
A single edition of (6) photographs on the theme of tree graffiti. In this case its “THINKING TREES” and the names of great philosophers.
BLACK BEWICK
A series of landscapes on the theme of Thomas Bewicks beginnings in the Tyne valley.
VERANDA
A tiny but perfectly formed veranda at STANHOLME becomes a bucolic platform for a summer of public art.
ELDER SHAMAN OF THE GEORDIE TRIBE
A bittersweet work of heroic failure as elder shaman fails to save his tribe and planet. Live/performance/ritual art.
2009 projects
2009 projects
MOTHERSHIP DRAWINGS
Exhibition at Northumbria University. “Northern spaces group show”.
LIVING WITH A LANDSLIDE
Self publication of artist book. Graphic novel format. Edition of 200
A BIRD IN THE HAND
A performance work in which I invited wild birds to feed from my left hand
CAVE ART
A series of pencil drawings created in a local cave.
2008
2008
WAYGOOD WOOD
Creation, management and delivery of a 30 tree mobile wood. This wood acted as a mobile Newcastle city centre venue for nine public fluxus art performances and installations.
MOTHERSHIP DRAWINGS
Exhibition at Waygood Boutique
MOTHERSHIP DRAWINGS
Exhibition as part of the SAGE Newcastle Art Fair
ELDER SHAMAN OF THE GEORDIE TRIBE
Live/performance/ritual art
2007
2007
RUSTIC VOODOO DOLL PHOTOGRAPHS
The creation of a life sized doll from salvaged dead elm. This then became the focus for a series of photographic works
SENSELESS ACTS OF BEAUTY
2006
2006
RUSTIC VOODOO DOLL PHOTOGRAPHS
Creation of a life sized doll from salvaged dead Elm. Focus for photographic work.
MOTHERSHIP DRAWINGS
Pencil drawings on paper
2005
2005
MOTHERSHIP DRAWINGS
Pencil drawings on paper
RUSTIC VOODOO DOLL
Creation of life sized doll from salvaged dead Elm
RUSTIC CHURCH OF THE APOCALYPSE
Performance work as Reverand Rustic
2004
2004
MOTHERSHIP DRAWINGS
Pencil drawings on paper
RUSTIC VOODOO DOLL
Creation of life sized doll from salvaged dead Elm
THE POTTING SHED
A TAGSMITH collaborative work as part of the Waygood International Art fayre. The creation of a working potting shed in a gallery setting
FLUXUS MAILART
A CD single as part of a collaborative work
SENSELESS ACTS OF BEAUTY
Tree graffiti work
2003
2003
RUSTIC VOODOO DOLL
Creation of a life sized doll from salvaged dead Elm.
INSIDE/OUT
A BBC profile of my work
OUR SHORTEST DAY
Exhibition of Newcastle allotment installation artwork
SENSELESS ACTS OF BEAUTY
Tree graffiti work
2002
2002
GARDENING WITH THE DEVIL
This 90,000 word manuscript reveals one year in the life of a rustic artist. Extracted from ongoing artist journal 2001-2002(unpublished)
GARDENING WITH THE DEVIL
A public performance reading of journal extracts by Carole McGaugin. Waygood gallery, Newcastle
NO HOME BUT THE WAR
Exhibition of Newcastle allotment installation artwork. Extensive media coverage and threat of prosecution
SENSELESS ACTS OF BEAUTY
Tree graffiti
GOOD HIDING PLACE
Allotment installation artwork. Newcastle
2001
2001
THINKING TREES
A tree graffiti work in which the names of great philosophers are carved into trees.
OPEN STUDIO EXHIBITION CONTEMPORARY RUSTIC ART
Show/sale of new work at CLUNY Lime Street studio
RUSTIC FURNITURE
Design/creation rustic furniture/interiors.
HORSE AND CART ART
A six week art tour of Northumberland. A traditional horse and cart takes contemporary art to the rural villages of Northumberland. A “year of the artist” Arts council project. National/local media coverage. Featured on T.V. documentary “ARTBLAST”.
SUNDAY SUN
Centrefold spread on my life and work.
GREEN FESTIVAL ARTS
Creation of live willow maze.
1999
1999
HORSE AND CART ART
A Traditional horse and cart takes contemporary art on one day tours through the streets of central Newcastle.
FARMART
Radical community art company in the Ouseburn Valley, Byker, Newcastle.
RUSTIC BESTIARY
Exhibition at Waygood Gallery, Newcastle.
DENDROPHOBIA
Exhibition as part of VANE. An exhibition of live mutilated trees.
RUSTIC FURNITURE
Design/creation rustic furniture/interiors.
OPEN STUDIO EXHIBITION CONTEMPORARY RUSTIC ART
Show/sale of new work at CLUNY Lime Street studio
1998
1998
VANITY FAIR A FARMART
community fair. Included equestrian fancy dress, visit from Lord Mayor and free food.
GLORY
Exhibition of Rustic installation as part of VANE.
RUSTIC CHAPEL
Exhibition of rustic installation as part of VANE. Cluny gallery.
FARMART
Radical community art company in inner city, Newcastle
RUSTIC FURNITURE
Design/creation rustic furniture/interiors.
OPEN STUDIO EXHIBITION CONTEMPORARY RUSTIC ART
Show/sale of new work at CLUNY Lime Street studio,
CREATIVE WORKSHOPS
English Heritage. Green Festival.
WOODLAND ART AND CRAFT
Creation, management and delivery of accredited woodland art and craft courses/training at Byker City Farm.
1997
1997
FARMART
Radical community art company, Newcastle.
RUSTIC FURNITURE
Design/creation rustic furniture/interiors
OPEN STUDIO EXHIBITION. CONTEMPORARY RUSTIC ART
Show/sale of new work at Cluny Lime street studio.
WOODLAND ART AND CRAFT
Creation, management and delivery of accredited woodland art and craft courses/training at Byker City Farm.
CREATIVE WORKSHOPS
Bill Quay City Farm. Shipley Art Gallery. Sunderland Museum services, Green Festival.
1996
1996
FARMART
Radical community art company, Newcastle.
RUSTIC FURNITURE
Design/creation rustic furniture/interiors.
OPEN STUDIO EXHIBITION CONTEMPORARY RUSTIC ART
Show/sale of new work at CLUNY Lime street studio.
CREATIVE WORKSHOPS
National Trust, Queens hall.
WOODLAND ART AND CRAFT
Creation, management and delivery of accredited woodland art and craft courses/training at Byker City Farm.
1995
1995
FARMART
Radical community art company, Newcastle.
RUSTIC FURNITURE
Design/creation rustic furniture/interiors.
OPEN STUDIO EXHIBITION CONTEMPORARY RUSTIC ART
Show/sale of new work at Cluny Lime street studio.
WOODLAND ART AND CRAFT
Creation, management and delivery of accredited woodland art and craft coursrs/training at Byker City Farm.
