biography

						I r m a I r s a r a
						I r m a I r s a r a


	Place of birth - Dolomites, Bolzano, Italy
	STATEMENT My work is generally abstract, sometimes with recognisable elements and often includes the use of symbols. One of my aims is to create a sensitive and harmonious interdependency in my work. For me the subject matter comes first then the technique. This includes installations using glass, mirror and projected light; artists books, including stained glass books; paper pulp work and printmaking (etching, relief or colograph). I describe my recent work as paper pulp art. It is created from scratch using hand-made papermaking techniques where the colour is applied in layers of mashed and dyed cotton paper pulp. The surface of the finished pieces is usually in relief and is sometimes almost three-dimensional. My work is abstract and organic. The weight and intensity of the colours are calculated exactly so that they vibrate in balanced unity creating a sense of space. A piece is often sparked off by something observed or some response to my environment which, when translated into a very basic sketch, becomes the bones of the picture. I value the time constraints of the drying process which helps avoid the danger of over-refinement and keeps the work fresh. I’m also careful to find the precise point where the work should be left alone, usually where something more can be added in the mind of the viewer. I give my pictures titles which will lead to further thought. The picture is complete when the title is determined.
	EDUCATION 1976 - 1978 Istituto d'Arte di Ortisei, Italy 1978 - 1982 Accademia di Belle Arti di Urbino, Italy 1986 - 1988 Capel Manor Horticultural College (Ecology and Conservation)
	EXHIBITIONS UNITED HOUSE large-scale paper pulp works London. 2010 CITTA IDEALE Barbican Library Foyer, Barbican Centre, London. 2009 ECO D'INCONTRO paper pulp works Tavistock Centre, London. 2009 L'ANGELO DELL'INTERMEZZO paper pulp and bookworks Chelsea Library Gallery. 2007 LA FAVELLA DI COLORE paper pulp works Tavistock Centre, London. 2005 ANCHE ANIME DEVONO EVOLVERE installations, paper pulp works and artists books Diorama 1, London. 2004 SUONO VOCALICO paper pulp works Broadway Theatre, Peterborough. 2004 INSTALLATION AND PULPWORKS Circolo Artistico e Culturale di Ortisei, Italy. 2002 'Irma Irsara, Pur Amur de la Nature' film broadcast by TV RAI 3 Ladina, Italy. 2001 PULPWORKS Gadz, The Coffee Bar, London. 2001 MAMMACORD II paper pulp works Tavistock Centre & Mary Ward Centre, London. 2000 The Triangle Restaurant exhibition of paper pulp works London. 1999 Exhibition of paper pulp works Mary Ward Centre, London. 1999 Tavistock Centre exhibition of etchings London. 1999 MAMMACORD large-scale paper pulp works Tavistock Centre, London. 1998 La Dolce Restaurant exhibition of paper pulp works London. 1997 PAPERWORKS prints and works made from paper pulp Tavistock Centre, London. 1997 WXD Café Gallery exhibition of prints on hand-made paper London. 1996 AUTOMATIC CROSS-STITCH (part 1 and 2) King's Fund, London. 1996 AUTOMATIC CROSS-STITCH (part 1 and 2) HIDDEN FEMININITY prints and installations Filef Centre, London. 1996 AUTOMATIC CROSS-STITCH Slide performance with poetry performed by Frances Presley for conference 'Feminism and the Aesthetics of Difference' University of London. 1995 STONEQUARRY slide performance and exhibition with Islington Poetry Workshop. Islington, London 1994 GREEN FRUIT YELLOW BREEZE prints and drawings Islington Central Library Gallery, London. 1992 FRA MITI E SEGNI prints and drawings Filef Centre, London. 1991 Arts Theatre Café exhibition of etchings London. 1990 Filef Centre exhibition of etchings and paintings London. 1990 LOOKING FOR CONNECTION Lauderdale House Gallery, Highgate, London.1989 UNO SPAZIO installations Galleria del Circolo di Ortisei, Italy. 1983 SIRENA E METROPOLI studio exhibition Accademia di Belle Arti d'Urbino, Italy. 1982 MISURE DEL COLORE glass and mirror installation Accademia di Belle Arti d'Urbino, Italy. 1981 CASA, FILO, FUOCO, GENTE installation and performance Accademia di Belle Arti d'Urbino, Italy. 1980
	GROUP SHOWS MUSEUMS AT NIGHT London Canal Museum, Islington. 2011 20/21 INTERNATIONAL ART FAIR Royal College of Art, London (Print Europe stand). 2011 ISLINGTON EXHIBITS London. 2010 THE AFFORDABLE ART FAIR London (Print Europe stand). 2010 BATTERSEA CONTEMPORARY ART FAIR London..2010 GRAND MARCHÉ D'ART CONTEMPORAIN La Bastille, Paris. 2010 ART LIBERATING LIVES 2009 Mall Galleries, London. 2009 GRAND MARCHÉ D'ART CONTEMPORAIN La Bastille, Paris. 2009 THE CONTINUOUS PICNIC (plant-pulp workshop at London Festival of Architecture). 2008 ARTISTS' BOOK FAIR Phoenix Arts, Brighton, 2008 BATTERSEA CONTEMPORARY ART FAIR. 2008 BREAKING THE MOULD IAPMA international paper touring exhibition. 2007/08 LAB' 07 London Artists Book Fair, ICA, London. 2007 THE GREAT ART FAIR Alexandra Palace, London. 2006 LAB'05 London Artists Book Fair, ICA, London. 2005 1/2 STUDIO PLUS GALLERY London. 1999 25 YEARS OF ETCHING AT THE ACCADEMIA Accademia d'Urbino, Italy. 1998 WRITINGS ON THE WALL exhibition of women artists Islington Museum, London. 1997 CHRISTMAS CRACKER Islington Museum, London. 1996 & 1997 SUMMER SHOW Northbank Gallery, London. 1996 SEE THE PRINTS Printmakers Council, National Theatre Foyer Gallery. 1992 CROSS SECTION Printmakers Council, Gardener Arts Centre, Brighton. 1992 PRESENT PRINTS Printmakers Council, Battersea Library. 1991 7TH ANNUAL CHRISTMAS OPEN Café Gallery, Southwark, London. 1991 LONDON WOMEN'S ITALIAN EXCHANGE art auction, Accademia Italiana, London. 1990 15 YEARS OF ETCHING AT THE ACCADEMIA Accademia di Belle Arti d'Urbino, Italy. 1987 BIBLIOTECA DI BRUNICO Italy. 1983 PALAZZO DUCALE Exhibition of Anti-war Movement Urbino, Italy. 1982 GRUPPO ARTISTICO LADINO annual exhibition of paintings. 1978-1982 GALLERIA DEL CIRCOLO DI ORTISEI Italy. 1978
	PUBLIC COLLECTIONS British Library, Modern British Collections Biblioteca di Brunico, Bolzano, Italy Italy Accademia di Belle Arti di Urbino, Italy Italy Landhouse (Architectural Department), Bolzano, Italy Nippon Oil UK Tavistock Clinic, London Studio Maisto, London Istitut Ladin, Italy B M A Bonelli Erede Pappalardo LLP
	ILLUSTRATIONS 1982 Moltina (monoprints) Institut Ladin 1994 Stonequarry Islington Poetry Workshop 1995 Stonequarry II Islington Poetry Workshop 2000 Automatic Cross Stitch, Frances Presley The Other Press 2001 Papermaking Techniques Book, John Plowman Quarto 2002 Tras - Revista de Leterature y Art VIII/2001
	1983 Teacher of Art Education , Scuola Media, Brunico, Italy