Peter Tilley
Image Source The Creator Incubator
After studying Ceramics (1973-75) and receiving a Certificate of Art (1978-79) from Newcastle School of Art and Design Peter Tilley completed a Master of Philosophy (Fine Art) at the University of Newcastle (2008-10), Doctor of Philosophy Fine Art (2015-18) at the same institution. He first exhibited with Brenda May in 1989 and his relationship with the Gallery, May Space, continued until the gallery closed in March 2022.
His sculptural practice has included ritualised ceramic vessels, still-life tableaux, figurative and non figurative works, small to human scale sculptures and wall mounted, mixed media works. These sculptures have formed part of the more than 35 Solo and 80 group exhibitions that he has participated in, including numerous Sculpture by the Sea Bondi and Cottesloe since 2004, SxS Aarhus Denmark 2009 and 2011. Working in small studio spaces throughout his career has determined the size of works he has made, plus he has grown accustomed to, and is comfortable working with objects from very small up to life-sized.
Generally, his sculpture continues the theme of utilising his own experience as the basis for the narrative. He tries to achieve a simplicity that is intuitively accepted, yet capable of complex layers of meaning. His inspiration stems from a range of influences, including Egyptian funerary culture, the destructive influence of the coal industry, and a concern for conservation which underpins everything.
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