Statement
As an artist based in North Yorkshire, I make contemporary abstract drawings inspired by architecture. My work explores how built environments make us feel. ​An interest in architecture began early, noticing details that shape the atmosphere of a room - lines traced on wallpaper patterns, the touch of brass door knobs, or how passages of light fall on walls and floors.
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Starting with video or photographs gathered on site, I handle material through the rhythm of drawing, working with layers of mixed media on paper to expose sensory responses that bring unexpected aspects to light. I am interested in uncovering forgotten or reimagined elements, while playing with architectural features such as texture or pattern.
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Recent work is inspired by architectural light. For me, there are compelling connections with shifting tensions between exterior and interior, public and private. Some of my work comprises layers of drawings on translucent paper that are presented to respond to light, gradually altering the character of the work, revealing different aspects over time.
Biography
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Sue Mann settled in North Yorkshire in 2000. She attended adult art education courses around work and family for many years, having not taken up a place at art school in her teens. In 2010, she commenced part time study at York St John University to explore long held ideas.
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Sue completed a BA in Fine Art in 2016 with first class honours. She was awarded the Fine Art Dissertation Prize in 2015, before going on to receive the Vice Chancellor’s Faculty of Arts Medal and Fine Art Programme Prize at graduation. Her work was also included in the a-n Degree Show Guide that year.
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Following an a-n Artist Bursary that supported an initial studio residency in 2022, Sue became a resident artist and studio holder at Art Happens Here (AHH Studio Collective) in Malton for over three years, where she developed and delivered ‘Drawing Together’. During this time, Sue’s profile was highlighted on Artist Support Pledge, her work was selected for the RBSA Drawing Prize, and she was shortlisted as a finalist for the Scott Creative Arts Foundation Emerging Artist Award.
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Sue works on site responsive projects, independently and collaboratively, making work for exhibition.
Residency Exhibitions
2022 Art Licks Work in Progress, North York Moors | 2016-17 York Art Gallery, York | 2015 Goddards Reimagined, National Trust at Goddards, York
Group Exhibitions
2023 RBSA Drawing Prize, RBSA Gallery, Birmingham | 2023 LIGHT, Scott Creative Arts Foundation, Thirsk, then Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield | 2023 Body-Architect, Norman Rea Gallery, University of York | 2023 Open Artspace, Old Parcels Office, Scarborough | 2021 Definitions of Drawing, Sunny Bank Mills Gallery, Leeds | 2019 Fronteer Open, 35 Chapel Walk Gallery, Sheffield | 2018 Forms Assembled in the Light, Sunny Bank Mills Gallery, Leeds | 2016 See:Saw, York St John University, York | 2015 Relish, The New School House Gallery, York
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Projects
2024 Drawing Together at Art Happens Here | 2023 Drawing Together with Art Licks and Next Steps | 2022 Art Licks Residency with AHH Studio Collective on North York Moors | 2022 Studio Residency at AHH Studio Collective, Malton | 2021 Drawing Together (online) | 2021 Lockdown and Light (online) | 2018-20 AA2A Residency at York St John University, York | 2016 Illuminate York at York St John University | 2016 DRAW! at York Art Gallery | 2015 National Trust Residency at Goddards, York