Eric Butcher
BA (Hons) Philosophy
University of Cambridge
MA Fine Art
Wimbledon School of Art
Visiting Tutor
BA (Hons) Fine Art and MA
Eric’s work has been exhibited nationally and internationally since 1993. He was the CAIR (Centre for Art International Research) Multiple Perspectives Fellow (2007), Liverpool School of Art/Liverpool John Moores University. He also held an Arts Institute at Bournemouth Research Fellowship (2007). His practice-led research explores the selective articulation of the surfaces of aluminium structures through the use of paint and resin. His work is made in a procedural or process-governed manner, the outcome largely determined by the physical characteristics of the metal support. Eric is also concerned with the formal relationship between surface structure and three-dimensional form or ‘objectness’ and his work informs debates in contemporary painting about the relationship between painted surface and architectural context. Recent solo exhibitions include: ‘Honey Trap’, (Toomey-Tourell Gallery, San Francisco, 2007); ‘Static Interference’ (Vertigo Gallery, London, 2007); Arte Fiera, Bologna (2005). Recent contributions to group exhibitions include: ‘Ten’ (Toomey-Tourell Gallery, San Francisco 2008); ‘Meeting Place: Contemporary Art and the Museum Collection’ (Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum, Bournemouth in association with the Arts Institute at Bournemouth, 2007-8) (curated by Stephanie James and Jackie Serafopoulos), and a chapter entitled ‘Discoveries’ in an accompanying publication (2007); ‘Underground’ (Shoreditch Town Hall basement, London, 2007) (with Roger Ackling and Simón Granell and supported by the Arts Institute). Eric undertook a major curatorial project in 2005-6 entitled ‘Definite Article’ (exhibited Vertigo Gallery, London, and Toomey-Tourell Gallery, San Francisco, 2005-6). This featured the work of four contemporary artists all concerned with the formal relationship between object and surface - Roger Ackling, Eric Butcher, Marc Vaux and Cathy Wade. Both ‘Underground’ and ‘Definite Article’ were supported by the Arts Institute. Eric is engaged (2008-9) in a research project in collaboration with Benson-Sedgwick Engineering, which takes the form of a residency. This research will result in a book publication (forthcoming, CAIR; distributed by Cornerhouse Publications).
Recent publications include: Ackling, R., Butcher, E. and Granell, S., Underground (Liverpool: CAIR/Liverpool School of Art/Liverpool John Moores University, 2007), distributed worldwide by Cornerhouse Publications; Definite Article, (London: Vertigo Gallery, 2005), including introductory essay, ‘Objects & Surfaces’ by Eric Butcher; Barron, J. and Butcher E., Hanging Garden (text + work, The Arts Institute at Bournemouth, 2005).
R.327 (Detail), 2008, by Eric Butcher.
Oil and Resin on Extruded Aluminium Section.
Dimensions Installation Specific/Variable.