Bio
Ally McGinn stumbled upon the artworld in 2014 and went on to graduate from Bath Spa University (2018) with a MA in Fine Art and a passion for philosophy. She spends her time asking questions in her studio on the Somerset Levels.
A conceptually representational painter and writer, her work explores the narrative describing perceptions of art and the conditions of painting. Combining found objects, manipulated semiotics and painterly language to create paintings that aim to question our perceptions of the things we are looking at and the ways we are looking at them.
Her work has been exhibited around the UK since 2016 and internationally in 2021. She has won several awards and residencies, including ‘The Bath Open Art Prize’ (2019) and has had two solo shows (2019/2020).
Recent questions consider support and confinement, rhythm and place, and the self that echoes within, and without, painting.
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Artists Statement
Ally McGinn is a conceptually representational painter working within a narrative that questions perceptions of art and the conditions of painting. Combining found objects, manipulated semiotics and painterly language to create artworks that aim to question our perceptions of the things we are looking at and the ways we are looking at them.
Experimenting with the subject of painting through a reconstruction of its materials.
Questioning the value within painting through a reconsideration of its character.
Exploring the materiality of painting to manipulate its qualities.
Considering painting as physical, perceptual, and peripheral activity.
Filtering the perception of objects through object-based painting.
It is a practice that explores painting as both object and subject. Approaching a connection with painting that goes beyond its use as medium, commodity, and object.
Recent explorations are centered around considerations of support and confinement, rhythm and place, and the self that echoes within, and without, painting.
Ally has recently completed an MA at Bath Spa University and when not experimenting in her studio is preparing for a PhD in a field in Somerset.
Selected CV
Education
2017/18 - MA (Hons) Fine Art, Bath Spa School of Art and Design.
2014/2017 - BA (Hons) Fine Art, Bath Spa School of Art and Design.
Solo Exhibitions
2020 - The House That Painting Built, 44AD, Bath.
2019 - Paint(In)g, Roper Gallery, Bath.
Selected Group Exhibitions
2021 - Que des Femmes, 6th Biennial of Non-Objective Art, Pont de Claix, France
2021 - Inch by IN:CH, around the South West, UK
2021 - This is not a shop, Bath
2021 - Border Crossings, Pineapple Black, Middlesborough
2021 - Yellow Archangel, General Practice, Manchester
2020 - a-z, 44AD, Bath
2020 - 2020, Centrespace, Bristol
2019 - If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail, Brighton
2019 - Town Hall Open, Trowbridge
2019 - AIR Open, AIR Gallery, Altrincham
2019 - Bath Open Art Prize, 44AD, Bath
2019 - Various Exhibitions, Fringe Arts Bath
2019 - MA Show, Atkinson Gallery, Street
2019 - Blue Monday, 44AD, Bath
2018 - Line and Point, Centrespace, Bristol
2018 - Summer Show, Atkinson Gallery, Street
2018 - Various Exhibitions, Fringe Arts Bath
2017 - Stock, The OXO Tower, London
2017 - No Working Title, London
2017 - Unseen Tides, Bath
2016 – Sluice, Centrespace, Bristol
Awards and residencies
2019 - Bath Open Art Prize - 44AD prize winner.
2018/2019 - Bath Artists Studios graduate residency, Bath.
2018 - Walcot Chapel residency, Bath.
2016/17 - The Gainsborough Spa, commission winner.
2017 - Ede and Ravenscroft Award.
2016 – ‘Unseen Tides’ residency, Cornwall.
2016 - Porthleven Prize, Cornwall.