Toni Cogdell
Degree: BA Hons Fine Art
University: Bath Spa University
Graduation Year: 2002
New Blood Art Commentary
Listen to Toni in conversation with Sarah on the podcast
The subjects of Toni Cogdell’s portraits crystallise in the midst of colour and texture’s motion, like the scattering of light across a garden. Literary and art historical allusion situate these paintings in a continuum of artistic achievement, and they examine the solitary moment of introspection that is the beginning of all such discoveries. They emerge from – or they surge toward, and are suspended within – the abstract backdrop of their environment. The holistic scene is constructed by harmonising subtle tones with elements of boldly coloured, gestural brushwork; these paintings follow the terra incognita of the soul: a work in progress.
Artist Statement
Pulsing through paint on canvas is an action to bend chaos into beauty, the kind of beauty that tilts on the curve of a wing as it swoops into water and then sky; below, above.
A broken beauty, ceaseless in its search for renewal and self knowledge, perfect in its imperfection.
I am on a pursuit to make contemporary portraits that dig beneath the skin to swim in our consciousness, diving through our layers while throwing light at our forgotten selves; that quiet and real landscape beyond view from which stories and longings and moments can rise and be felt.
I paint to remember, I paint to discover, I paint in search of things lost or not yet understood. Pieces of me, pieces of you, who we are from the inside out, moment to moment, in no linear measurement and continuously remade by experience and contact with the world around us.
Can our journeys be traced or do they leave no trail other than a tug in the heart, a gentle shift toward something new. Something alchemised.
Solo Exhibitions
(2023) Ambition Bird, Turner Art Perspective Gallery, Chelmsford
(2021) Traces of Us, Turner Art Perspective Gallery, Essex
(2020) In These Small Moments, Cass Art space, Bristol
(2005) The Space Between, Clarion Contemporary Gallery, London
(2004) Paintings - Toni Cogdell, New Gallery RWA, Bristol
(2003) Undercurrents, Walcot Chapel, Bath
Group Exhibitions
(2023) Affordable Art Fair, Battersea, Turner Art Perspective Gallery, London
(2022) Affordable Art Fair, Turner Art Perspective Gallery, Battersea
(2021) ING Discerning Eye 2020, Discerning Eye, London
(2021) RWA 168th Open Exhibition, Royal West of England Academy, Bristol
(2020) Aurum Gallery Opening Show, Aurum Gallery, Thailand
(2020) Anonymous heArt Project, Heart Research UK, Leeds
(2020) Artist in Focus - Toni Cogdell, Sarah Wiseman Gallery, Oxford
(2019) Winter Exhibition, Art Pistol Gallery, Glasgow, Scotland
(2019) Edinburgh Art Fair, The Art Agency, Scotland
(2019) Black Swan Open 2019, Black Swan Gallery, Frome
(2018) Winter Exhibition part 2, McAllister Thomas Gallery, Surrey
(2017) Identities - 4 woman Show, Sarah Wiseman Gallery, Oxford
(2017) Spring Show, McAllister Thomas Gallery, Surrey
(2017) Psyche, Dreams and Spaces, 2-person show, Gallery and Barrow, Bath
(2017) Art on the Mind Auction for Cardboard Citizens, 10 Hanover, Mayfair, London
(2017) Fresh Art Fair, New Blood Art, Cheltenham
(2017) Buy Art Fair, Gallery and Barrow, Manchester
(2017) Psyche, Dreams and Spaces, Gallery and Barrow, Bath
(2016) Ecriture Feminine, Edgar Modern Gallery, Bath
(2016) Looking to the Stars, Hornshaw Gallery, Brick Lane, London
(2016) Affordable Art Fair, Edgar Modern Gallery, Hampstead Heath
(2016) Summer Exhibition, McAllister Thomas Gallery, Surrey
(2016) Launch Exhibition, Clifton Fine Art, Bristol
(2016) Winter Exhibition, McAllister Thomas Gallery, Surrey
(2015) Black Swan Prize Open, Black Swan Gallery, Frome
(2015) Affordable Art Fair, Edgar Modern Gallery, London
(2015) Summer Exhibition, Edgar Modern Gallery, Bath
(2015) 163rd Autumn Open Exhibition, RWA, Bristol
(2014) Divine, Define Feminine, London Art, London
(2013) Something Special - Auction for Joss' Searchlight, ., London
(2012) Black Swan Prize Open, Black Swan Gallery, Frome
(2012) Group Show, Outside The Square Gallery, Margate
(2011) Unsigned - Charity Auction, View Gallery, Bristol
(2010) RWA Friends Exhibition - 2D Winner, RWA, Bristol
(2009) RWA Friends Exhibition, RWA, Bristol
(2008) RWA Friends Exhibition, RWA, Bristol
(2006) Identity, Clarion Contemporary Gallery, London
(2006) The Holburne Portrait Prize, Holburne Museum, Bath
(2005) Figure and Space, Clarion Contemporary Gallery, London
(2005) Invited Artist - Curated by The Cowleigh Gallery, Malvern Theatres, Malvern
(2004) 152nd Autumn Open Exhibition, RWA, Bristol
(2003) Daily Mail's - Not the Turner Prize, Mall Galleries, London
(2003) 151st Autumn Open Exhibition, RWA, Bristol
(2002) Fine Art Degree Show, Bath School Of Art, Bath Spa University, Bath
(2002) Comma - Works from Bath School of Art, Truman Brewery Gallery, Brick Lane, London
(2002) RWA Friends Exhibition, RWA, Royal West of England Academy, Bristol
Competitions, Prizes & Awards
(2003) Venue Magazine Emerging Artist Award, RWA
(2004) Channel 5 Big Art Challenge, Regional Finalist
(2003) Daily Mail's - Not the Turner Prize Finalist
(2010) RWA Friends Selector's Choice 2D Winner
(2014) Shortlisted for Black Swan Open Solo Prize
(2017) Longlisted for Anthology 2017, Charlie Smith London