Ashton Blyth
Ashton Blyth
Ashton Blyth’s practice investigates the theme of identity, most recently conveying his themes through animations. “With my work, I aim to create non-specific in medium artworks that challenge the rules and restraints society lays out for us in regard to our personal identity - because they should be challenged, broken down and reformed in new ways to represent the constant evolution of identity in society.”
Identity is an ideological construct created by society, our identity is formed by what tick boxes we fit that society hands us. When you look at a portrait artist’s work, it’s a fixed and permanent view of somebody’s identity. In the modern world, it’s more fluid and non-binary, and this should be represented not only in society, but in art as well. Society’s viewpoints on gender, sexuality, race, religion etc. are changing, and that needs to be showcased more – which is what Blyth intends to do so with his own work.
Throughout the years of his education in the arts, Blyth has developed his skills in a variety of mediums: drawing, etching, printmaking, sculpture, laser-cutting, film and projection. Blyth’s preferred method of creation being to combine several mediums to build an installation that the audience can participate or immerse themselves in. Blyth believes these methods have proven invaluable in improving audience understand of his work and its significance regarding gender and sexuality. Having chosen to explore the contexts of his practice in an assortment of ways, Blyth feels this has enhanced his ability to aid students investigating a multiplicity of mediums and allow his teaching to cater for a diverse range of interests and abilities, offering direction and support from a place of experience.
Skills
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Communication
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Time-keeping
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Teamwork
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Leadership
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Customer Service
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Computer skills, proficient in:
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Adobe Illustrator
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CorelDRAW Graphics Suite
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XARA Graphics Suite
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Microsoft Office 365
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Education
2021 - Present
Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London, London.
MA Fine Art: Digital
2018 - 2021
Staffordshire University, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire.
BA (Hons) Fine Art - First Class
2014 - 2017
Priestley College, Warrington, Cheshire.
Diploma in Foundation Studies (Art and Design) - Distinction
A-Level Fine Art - B
AS Mathematics - D
AS Psychology - D
2009 - 2014
Bishops Bluecoat Church of England High School, Chester, Cheshire.
GCSEs overall - A, 4B, 3C, 2D including:
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Art and Design: Fine Art - B
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English Language - B
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Mathematics - A
Professional Arts Qualifications
2017
2017
2017
Arts Award Facilitator for:
Silver Award
Bronze Award
Discover and Explore Award
Awards
23rd November 2021
Visual Art Open 2021, Young Artist Winner
28th October 2021
Spark Animation 2021, Special Mention Social Message Award
17th October 2021
PRIDEFILM International Online Film Festival, Honourable Mention
29th August 2021
Queer Global Arts International Online Film Festival, Audience Choice Award Silver
Exhibitions
Group
9th December 2022 - 12th March 2023
Bloomberg New Contemporaries 2022, South London Gallery and Fire Station Gallery, Peckham Road, London. ENGLAND
23rd September - 27th November 2022
Bloomberg New Contemporaries 2022, Ferens Art Gallery, Queen Victoria Square, Carr Lane, Hull. ENGLAND
April 2022
March 2022
March 2022
November 2021
August 2021
June 2021
June 2021
November 2019
May 2019
February 2019
Field, Carton Arts, Catford, London. ENGLAND
Moontopia, B-Arts, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire. ENGLAND
This Is Not A Party, The Chainstore, Trinity Buoy Wharf, London. ENGLAND
Visual Art Open Finalists 2021, UK & International Emerging Artist Awards, ONLINE.
Stoke-on-Trent Pride, Hanley Park, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire. ENGLAND
Coming Out, M.A.D.S. Art Gallery, Milan. ITALY
Divergence, Cadman Studios - Staffordshire University. ENGLAND
Me, Myself and I, Cadman Studios - Staffordshire University. ENGLAND
Amalgamation, Cadman Studios - Staffordshire University. ENGLAND
Personification, Cadman Studios - Staffordshire University. ENGLAND
Film Festivals
9th - 12th December 2021
International Queer Film Festival Merlinka, Serbia
Felt Right Then, Feels Right Now - OFFICIALLY SELECTED
11th - 14th November 2021
San Francisco Transgender Film Festival
Felt Right Then, Feels Right Now - OFFICIALLY SELECTED
28th October - 7th November 2021
Spark Animation, British Columbia's only Oscar-accredited film festival
Felt Right Then, Feels Right Now - SPECIAL MENTION, SOCIAL MESSAGE AWARD
17th October 2021
PRIDEFILM International Online Film Festival
Felt Right Then, Feels Right Now - HONOURABLE MENTION
15th - 18th October 2021
Las Vegas Queer Arts Film Festival
Felt Right Then, Feels Right Now - OFFICIALLY SELECTED
19th September 2021
Color's of Love - Edition II, International Film Festival
Felt Right Then, Feels Right Now - OFFICIALLY SELECTED
27th - 29th August 2021
Queer Global Arts Festival, International Film Festival
Felt Right Then, Feels Right Now - WINNER AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD SILVER
TBC
Film with Pride, Liverpool Pride’s Film Festival
Felt Right Then, Feels Right Now - OFFICIALLY SELECTED
7th August 2021
Taos Pride, New Mexico's Short Film Festival
Felt Right Then, Feels Right Now - OFFICIALLY SELECTED
1st - 31st August 2021
FilmPride, Brighton & Hove's Official Queer Film Festival
Felt Right Then, Feels Right Now - OFFICIALLY SELECTED
29th July 2021
Louisiana Rainbow: LGBT+ Film Festival, Louisiana, USA
Felt Right Then, Feels Right Now - WINNER TRANSVIDEO FILMMAKER AWARD
Press
24th December 2022
19th December 2022
7th December 2022
5th December 2022
5th December 2022
19th September 2022
Bloomberg New Contemporaries 2022 at Humber Street Gallery and Ferens Art Gallery | Absolutely Cultured
19th September 2022
19th September 2022
19th September 2022
19th September 2022
20th June 2022
16th June 2022
15th June 2022
25th October 2021
25th October 2021
Commissions / Events / Talks
15th December 2021
Priestley College, Presentation to A-Level and Foundation Art and Design students and faculty on my artwork over the years, and speaking to students on a 1-to-1 basis about their own practice
8th August 2021
Better World Festival, Display The Interactive Tube Map at Stoke-on-Trent's Better World Festival 2021 and a 30-minute presentation about my work as an LGBTQIA+ artist
7th August 2021
Stoke-on-Trent Pride, The Interactive Tube Map printed to display and use at Stoke-on-Trent Pride 2021, as well as display and talk about both the map and the animation Felt Right Then, Feels Right Now
20th June 2019
Private Commission, Cartoon made using CorelDRAW Graphics Suite.