About The Artist
Sharon Virtue is a British artist of Jamaican and Irish heritage, living in Fairfax, California.
She is a multi-media artist, with a BA in Fine art and a Masters in Community arts from Goldsmiths University in London, U.K.
She has a strong social practice and believes artists are agents of transformation. Her works narrate stories of shape shifting, metamorphosis and power. They contain mythological beings, and archetypal symbols which exist amidst the veils of the natural and supernatural realms. The viewer is invited to encounter the magical places and beings that inhabit her imagination, to be immersed in fantastical landscapes of brilliant color; to explore, decipher and be immersed in a sumptuous dreamlike atmosphere, strange yet familiar.
“The current atmosphere of racism and the visceral effects of climate change are emerging in my recent paintings. Despite the seriousness of the subject matter the paintings are executed with a degree of extraordinary freedom, playfulness and colorful expressionism, using acrylic dayglow paints, glitter and gold leaf. It is my nature to make dynamic, fearless and joyful expressions, perhaps this is an attempt to make ugly truths more easy to look at, and ignite reflection on our incredulous reality.”
Acrylic Paint, Watercolor, Drawing, Prints and Printmaking, Mixed Media, Ceramics, Sculpture
Sharon is currently the Max Thelen Artist in Residence at Artworks Downtown in San Raphael at 1337 4th Street. She will be exhibiting in Marin Open studio’s for the first time on the second weekend of May 13th and 14th.
I look forward to connecting more with Marin artists and collectors and building community in my new home.
Studio Information
Art Works Downtown
Max Thelan residency space first floor.
Park in public parking close by on 4th street or on D street.
Contact Information
510 999 1308
Education
2013 M.A. in Participatory and Community Arts, Goldsmiths University, London, England
1988 B.A. (Hons) in Fine Art, Sheffield City Polytechnic, Sheffield, England
1985 Diploma in Fine Art (Foundation), Bournville College of Art. Birmingham. England
1989 Diploma in Dance Studies, Trinity Laban Conservatoire, London, England