Drawing and painting has always been an integral part of my life, a way of visualising and creating thoughts, ideas and emotions. Side by side to my painting I am also a lighting cameraman with over 30 years experience of working in tv and film. My work as a cameraman has taken me to the four corners of the world and the experiences I’ve had as well as the people I’ve met are a constant source of inspiration for my paintings.
In the last couple of years of the pandemic, I have been able to commit much more time to my painting and recently concentrating on larger works and experimenting with painting on steel and aluminium.
In the past I have also worked on murals, often in public spaces, where they relate to something that has direct attachment and meaning to the people that visit the space. There is also the opportunity for the audience to observe the process, which I think brings something more to the understanding and experience of the work. Aspects of everyday life are a constant inspiration to me which are reflected in both my figurative and abstract work.
PAST PROJECTS AND EXHIBITIONS
2022-3 FLUX-ONE MAN EXHIBITION, MUSEUM OF MODERN ART, MACHYNLLETH
Abstract work covering the last couple of years, on steel, aluminium, canvas and paper.
2022 PLAS GLYN Y WEDDIW OPEN SUMMER EXHIBITION
Group of paintings accepted and shown.
2021 CLIMATE CHANGE EXHIBITION, MID WALES ART CENTRE
Exhibited three paintings from the Aluminium collection of paintings as part of an open exhibition relating to Climate Change.
2017 ART BURSARY-MADRID
Received a bursary from Articulture Wales, to visit and study the Guernica and
Picasso’s related works, at the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte ReinaSofia,Madrid.
2016-17 GWAWRIO
ONE MAN EXHIBITION, GALERI, CAERNARFON
The exhibition began with its roots in the events of Tryweryn and the disaster of Aberfan. From there, it moved forward to the present day and one of hope for the future. Drawings of people from Caernarfon were represented on the walls, supporting and embracing the works.
The exhibition involved visiting and working at both sites, making drawings, paintings and photographs, as well as the background research. Stephen started to paint a large canvas at the opening of the exhibition and was finished by the end, which gave people an opportunity to visit and see the work changing.
2016 WELSH ASSEMBLY EXHIBITION, CARDIFF
One-man exhibition as well as two large paintings or murals that were up for 6 weeks. One mural was from the Eisteddfod in 2015, the other was a mural of Tryweryn.
2015 TRYWERYN, GALERI
Collaborative project with Theatre Genedlaethol Cymru, for a production called Ghost Dance, directed by Canadian Sarah Williams, and Eddie Ladd, spending initial time researching the project, drawing and photographing the rehearsals and visiting Tryweryn.
The research developed into a painting that was completed throughout the course of the production in Galeri.
2015 AR Y GWEILL, NATIONAL EISTEDDFOD
PUBLIC MURAL
Accepted into the Art Space as one of the works chosen by a select jury to exhibit in the Eisteddfod. The work entailed working in the public Gallery space for the duration of the event and making drawing studies in the crowds and behind the scenes to the Eisteddfod. These were then selected from and used in the final work, which was completed by the last day.
‘Throughout the week, Stephen Kingston will be producing a giant mural of the visitors to the Eisteddfod. The piece will connect directly with the experience of visiting the Lle Celf and you may see yourself, or somebody you know, featured in the work. It is essentially a performance piece, combining acute observation and skill through a fluid, expressive style of drawing’ Y Lle Celf 2015.
2015 BLACK HISTORY MONTH, CARDIFF MILLENNIUM CENTRE
PUBLIC MURAL AND INSTALLATION
A impressive large-scale mural in the main building connecting with a series of 25x7m banners. The aim was to show the strong beginnings of Black people moving into Wales, particularly Cardiff and how that has continued to flourish. As well as remembrance, there is the celebration and positiveness that has grown from its beginnings to what it is now, and looking forward to an even brighter future. ‘Stephen has created a special mural celebrating and reflecting the vibrancy and vitality of Black History Month.’ Cardiff Millennium Centre 2015.
2015 Y WAL DOC, GALERI
MURAL
Commissioned by Y Galeri, to paint a mural on both facing curved walls at the entrance/exit from Y Galeri to Victoria doc. It draws on the people in Caernarfon as they come and go, at the same time connecting the inside and the outside of the building with all its movement and energy.
2013 Y WAL2, GALERI
MURAL
With the success of the ‘Y Wal’ painting, Stephen was asked to paint across another space, approx 8'x13', to create ‘Y Wal 2’, which would take the subject of people in Caernarfon further and concentrate on The Square/Y Maes only.
2012 Y WAL, GALERI
MURAL
Commission to paint a large mural which Stephen based on people in Caernarfon, by sketching and studying the people in the centre and translate these to the canvas.
EDUCATION
Foundation Year at Cardiff Arts School, followed by BHum Degree at Goldsmiths College, London, studying visual media, specialising in film and television.
Post-graduate Masters at Bristol University, to further develop skills and knowledge in film, television and directing.