Chantal Powell creates sculptural works about the unseen aspects of our psyche. A PhD in social psychology and an ongoing study of Jungian theory inform her practice.
Her use of symbolic processes, materials and images reflect her research into the alchemical process as a metaphor for the transformation of Self. Drawing upon archetypal motifs such as "the vessel", "the toad" and "the night sea journey" she brings awareness to the importance of energy filled symbols to connect us to a world beyond the rational, that of the mysterious collective unconscious.
Her most recent project Night Shaking was an artistic and personal exploration into alchemy and depth psychology. A funded research phase included time investigating alchemical manuscripts in the rare books archives of the Wellcome Collection and collaborating with a Jungian analyst with a specialist interest in Alchemy.
Chantal Powell completed her psychology doctorate at Southampton University (2002) before turning to work as an artist full time. She was shortlisted for the Mark Tanner Sculpture Award in 2015 and has exhibited at venues including the Guildhall Art Gallery London, collateral events at the 53rd and 54th Venice Biennales, and a recent curatorial project with the Ingram Collection of Modern British Art.
Chantal is the founder of the contemporary arts program Hogchester Arts in West Dorset and hosts the Jungian online book club and speaker program "The Red Book Club". She also presents illustrated talks and workshops on psychological alchemy from an artist's perspective.
Selected Exhibitions
2021
The Holy Grail, OHSH Projects, Bloomsbury, London, UK
NightShaking with the Ingram Collection (Duo & curation), The Lightbox, Woking, UK
A Strange Kind of Knowing (curated by Olivia Penrose Punnett), Arusha Gallery, Bruton, UK
Invoking Absence (curated by Patricia Brien), Hallidays Mill Gallery, Stroud, UK
Darkness at Noon (curated by Ruth Calland and Mimei Thompson), APT Gallery, LondonUK
2020
Green Seeds from Dark Earth (solo), Haarlem Artspace, Derbyshire, UK
Dance First Think Later, General Practice, Lincolnshire
Floorr Exh 04, online show
2019
The Opening Of The Egg (2 person show), Arusha Gallery, Edingburgh, UK
Backyard Sculpture, Domobaal Gallery, London, UK
2018
As The Crow Flies, Bo.Lee Gallery, London, UK
The Salamander Devours Its Tail Twice (curated by Ashley Middleton), Gallery 46, London
Paper Cuts, (curated by Kristian Day), Saatchi Gallery, London, UK
Black Swan Arts Open 2018, Black Swan Arts, Frome, UK
2015
Enchanted Parks, Saltwell Park, Newcastle Gateshead, UK
CREATE/MAKE (collaboration with Griffin Gallery and QUEST), Crypt Gallery, London, UK
2014
Existential Mirage (solo), Stand Clear Gallery, Portsmouth, UK
Enchanted Parks, Saltwell Park, Newcastle Gateshead, UK
Museums At Night, The Guildhall Art Gallery, London, UK
Young Masters Art Prize, Lloyds Club, London UK
Young Masters Art Prize, Sphinx Fine Art, London UK
Burning Bright, Saatchi Suite, Hyatt Regency (Curated by Rebecca Wilson, director of Saatchi Gallery), London, UK
2013
Victoriana: The Art Of Revival, The Guildhall Art Gallery (Curated by Sonia Solicari. Other exhibiting artists include Paula Rego, Yinka Shonibare, Mat Collishaw, Grayson Perry, and Jack & Dinos Chapman), London, UK
Room Of Wonder, Newcastle Museum and Art Gallery, Staffordshire, UK
Cave, Aspex Gallery, Portsmouth, UK
Burning Bright, Saatchi Suite, Hyatt Regency , London, UK
2012
Unnatural, Natural History, Royal West Academy, Bristol, UK
London Calling, Orange County Centre of Contemporary Art Museum, California, US
Imprint, Serpentine Gallery's Centre Of Possible Studies, London, UK
When The Artists Move To Albert Square, A-Side B-Side Gallery, London, UK
The Other Art Fair, Ambika P3, London, UK
2011
Afternoon Tea At The 54th Venice Biennale, WW Gallery, Venice, IT
The Fall Of The Majestic Elk (2 person show), Wolverhampton Art Gallery, Wolverhampton, UK
FLAGSTOP, South Bay Lexus, Los Angeles, US
MOMAC pop up exhibition, Organicstone, Glouster, UK
Received Wisdom, Arlington Arts, Newbury, UK
2010
Time, WW Gallery, London, UK
Traces and Testament (solo), Westbourne Grove Church Artspace, London, UK
The National Open Art Competition, Minerva Gallery, Chichester, UK
Here Today, The Outside World Gallery, London, UK
Recollection, Chapel Gallery, Lancashire, UK
Austerity Xmas, WW Gallery, London, UK
To Be Confirmed, The Bristol Gallery, Bristol, UK
2009
Travelling Light, WW Gallery, London and toured to 53rd Venice Biennale, UK & IT
Cork Street Open Exhibition, Cork Street Gallery, London, UK
Open Show 09, Surface Gallery, Nottingham, UK
ReOpen, KUBE Gallery, Poole, UK
Awards
2015 Shortlisted for Mark Tanner Sculpture Award
2014 Young Masters Art Prize - Finalist
2013 Re:view Bursary. Critical and artistic development bursary awarded by a-n The Artist Information Company
Publications
2013 Victoriana: A Miscellany
Commissions
2014 Commissioned by NewcastleGateshead initiative to create outdoor public commission for Saltwell Park, Newcastle Gateshead, UK
2014 Lucid Dreaming. Public participatory installation for Museums At Night, Guildhall Art Gallery, London, UK
2013 Nightingale’s Nest. Site Specific Installation for the Guildhall Art Gallery, London, UK
2011 Site Specific Installation for Grade II listed Church building, Hampshire, UK
2010 Alternative Christmas Tree for ASPEX gallery, Portsmouth, UK
2010 Work to raise awareness of sex trafficking, Poole, UK
Other Activities/Achievements
2015 Artists talk at John Hansard Gallery, Southampton.
2013 Selector and review writer for Axis MA Stars
2013 Artist talk with Guildhall Art Gallery curator Sonia Solicari to Love Art London members
2012 Work selected for Billboard presentation, Boxpark Shoreditch,, London, UK
2012 Work displayed in Saatchi & Saatchi building in London for six weeks, London, UK
2011 July host of COLLABORATE for Blaise & Co Contemporary Art , New York, US
2011 Work auctioned by Hugh Edmeades (Christies) for the Jennie & Jessie Gunhammer Lupus Trust, UK
Selected Press
2013 The Independent
2013 Fine Art Connoisseur
2013 Saatchi Online Magazine
2012 Stylist magazine
2012 Interview with FAD
2012 Huffington Post
2012 Guardian Online
2012 Culture 24
2011 Creative Boom. Readers Studios
2010 AN magazine (Front Cover)
2010 Country and Townhouse Magazine
2010 The Big Issue.
Qualifications
2002 PhD. in Social Psychology, Southampton University, UK
1998 Bsc. Psychology, Southampton University, UK