BIO

William Cotterill is a contemporary British artist living and working in Bristol and London, United Kingdom. He studied at Central Saint Martins, UAL, where he has subsequently guest lectured.

The artist creates paintings with a deeply charged sense of presence. Drawing from a rich tapestry of techniques and visual lexicons from contemporary and ancient times, Cotterill forges his own strange and mysterious mythology of symbols and structures.

The legacy of mid-twentieth century Expressionism, especially Matter Painting and Tachisme, are present in the works. Cotterill’s paintings are firmly grounded in the materiality of painting as object.

Interrupted layers, obsessive pattern and fragmented forms twist into a deeply idiosyncratic iconography. The paintings often appear as cracked monuments or shrines; explorations into themes of uncertainty and change.

He has been featured in a number of shows including ‘Hello, Goodbye’, Central Saint Martins, Halcyon, Art Jericho and ‘Conspiracies’, Lewisham Arthouse.  His first solo show ‘Tangle of Matter and Ghost’ was curated by Jenny Blyth (Saatchi Gallery curator 1990-2002). He has had a residency solo show at SHSK and the show ‘Maps For Loners’ at 2SR Art Space, Oxford. His last solo show ‘Sudden Portals’ was at Cornerstone Art Centre, Oxfordshire. His work is in international private collections as well as the Central Saint Martins Museum and Study Collection.

CV

Born in 1984 in Halifax, United Kingdom

Resides and works in Bristol, United Kingdom

 

Education:

2002-2003: Foundation Art & Design, University of Gloucestershire, Cheltenham, United Kingdom

2003-2006: BA (Hons) Graphic Design, Central Saint Martins, London, United Kingdom

Selected Solo Exhibitions:

2021, ‘Sudden Portals’, Cornerstone Arts Centre, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom

2019, ‘Stranger Paintings’, St Helen & St Katherine’s, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom

2016, ‘Maps For Loners’, 2SR Art Space, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom

2012, ‘Tangle of Matter & Ghost’, Art Jericho, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom

 

Selected Group Exhibitions:

2020, ‘Cornerstone At Home’, Cornerstone Arts Centre, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom

2019, ‘Surface & Skin’, 2SR Art Space, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom

2018, ‘Conspiracies’, Lewisham Art House, London, United Kingdom

2017, ‘After The Flood’, 2SR Art Space, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom

2015, ‘Summer Exhibition’, Oxford Town Hall, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom

2013, London Art Fair, Jenny Blyth Fine Art, London, United Kingdom

2011, ‘Halcyon’, Art Jericho, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom

2011, ‘Art In Woodstock’, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom

2011, ‘Hello, Goodbye’, Lethaby Gallery, Central Saint Martins, London, United Kingdom

2010, ‘New Perspectives’, Branca, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom

2005 Elms Lester Painting Room, London, United Kingdom

2003 The Old Truman Brewery, London, United Kingdom

2003 Back Hill, Central Saint Martins, London, United Kingdom

 

Collections:

University of The Arts Collection, Central Saint Martins, London, United Kingdom

 

Residencies:

2019, St Helen & St Katherine, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom

 

Press & Publications:

Anne James, ‘Haunting exhibition’, Oxford Mail, 2012

 

Dealer:

Carey Blyth Gallery, 8 Woodstock Road, Oxford, OX2 6HT

 

Contact Information:

William Cotterill
Studio: 23 Oxleigh Way, Stoke Gifford, Bristol, United Kingdon
www.williamcotterill.co.uk
email: studio@williamcotterill.co.uk
+44 (0)7940000172