Ann Kopka’s art practice incorporates acrylic and mixed media painting, drawing, 3D, installation, and digital arts. Her working practice reflects many lines of enquiry as she continues to engage with several projects simultaneously, resulting in a stimulating network of possibilities.
She is currently engaged in researching the properties of discarded everyday ephemera and disposable objects with little or no intrinsic value, drawing attention to the throwaway nature of consumer society and questioning our perception of its value systems.
Through the concept of making ‘something out of nothing’, items such as found papers, discarded packaging, teabags, ‘flawed’ and redundant photographs and charity shop finds are frequently subjected to experimentation, digital manipulation and other investigative processes to become the source material for paintings or are transformed into tactile reliefs for reflective contemplation and exploration.
Added to this mix is a strong visual emphasis on experimentation with colour and light. Frequently employing a limited colour palette, she uses acrylic paints to produce vibrant paintings saturated in multiple layers of colour sometimes with a strong three dimensional element.
Ann has studied BA Hons Fine Art at Central St Martin’s College of Art and Design and has completed the two year contemporary Fine Art Course at the City Lit Institute, London. In 2001, she graduated from the Open University with BA Hons First Class, a degree that included The Practices and Debates of Modern Art. Ann also holds a Certificate in Education from London University’s Institute of Education.
Ann is a member of Harrow Open Studios, Brent Artists Resource, Espacio Gallery, Southwark Arts Forum, Watford Area Arts Forum, and is publicity secretary for Pinner Sketch Club. She has exhibited extensively in exhibitions at galleries in London and the South East.
In 2006, Ann was selected by the charity BlindArt to exhibit a large scale multi sensory relief image constructed entirely with tea leaves for the Sense & Sensuality Exhibition at Bankside Gallery, Southwark. In 2008, a grid of 9 multi sensory reliefs constructed from teabags was shortlisted by Brunel University for the Essence Exhibition at the Beldam Gallery. In 2010, Ann was selected to the Longlist for The Guardian London Lives Art Competition. In 2011, Robert Smyth Academy, Market Harborough, elected to base a GCSE Art project on Ann’s art practice.
