Biography

Janis Ridley was born in County Durham and studied sculpture at Newcastle upon Tyne School of Art and painting at Exeter College of Art, BA Hons Fine Art.

Returning to sculpture from painting in 1995, she has gained an increasing international reputation for sculptures which are often more aerial than earthbound, defying gravity and the weight of the material itself.

Janis Ridley’s work is recognisable for its spiritual affinity and a deep sense of inner peace reflecting a life long practise of meditation and dance.

A member of the Royal British Society of Sculptors, exhibitions include Mall Galleries London, Sotheby’s The Gallery Cork Street, Pride of the Valley Farnham, Burghley House, Guernsey Art Parks International, Delamore, Matara Gloucestershire, Battersea Art Fair Gordon Hepworth Gallery, Atelier Gallery University of Exeter, Dartington, Bath Contemporary Arts Fair, Beaux Art, Royal Academy, McHardy Sculpture Company, Plumbline Gallery St.Ives.

Public commissions and collections include University of Exeter Stargazer Topsham Millennium 700th Charter Spirit of Youth.

Her work is in many private collections in the UK, France, Australia and the United States. She has received two Arts Council Awards to develop new work.

 

New Work

Exeter Cathedral Unfolding Love, touring to Winchester Cathedral and York Minster in 2007 and St Davids Cathedral in 2008.

Iscarus bronze, large scale cast.

 

Drawings

Large collection of drawings:

• Drawings for sculptures.
• Drawings of the figure.
• Drawings of the imagination.
• Amness print, ink and watercolour.