| Introduction The Advanced Centre in Drawing (ACiD) at the School of Art, Media and Design at UWE, Bristol, has among its membership a range of artists and researchers with a common interest in drawing, yet their individual approaches to their artwork and research are as diverse and wide-ranging as the membership itself. Yvonne Buchheim, a German artist who lives and works both in Ireland and Bristol is a former Evelyn Williams Drawing Fellow in 2001 and currently a full-time Lecturer in Applied Arts at the University of the West of England, Bristol, UK. An active member of ACiD, Yvonne's work has been exhibited throughout Europe, with her holding residencies in several countries across the continent as well as in her adopted Irish homeland. As this site develops and grows, it is hoped that the breadth and depth of Yvonne's work both as an artist and researcher will be roundly documented and illustrated making it as accessible as possible both to fellow professional Artists and researchers as well as those who may simply have an inate love of art and in particular, drawing. Any feedback on this site or suggestions for it are always welcome and be sent to us via the direct links on the contact page. Yvonne Buchheim : Artist's Statement Through my personal background I developed a multi-layered understanding of ‘Heimat’ (homeland) that forms a basis for creative inquiry into the themes of origin, roots and identity. In my art practice I search for metaphors to visualise identity in order to trigger a process of questioning. Research into the relationship between language and identity resulted in projects using idioms and proverbs, short-hand writing and memorised songs. My up-bringing has provided me with a starting point to question cultural heritage and belonging. I was born and raised in the German Democratic Republic and since the collapse of the socialist system in 1989 I lived in Munich, Belfast, Derby, Dublin and Bristol. Initially, with no understanding of English, I have learned the language in Ireland with a distinct Irish accent and consequently often been mistaken for being Irish living in England. The role of drawing in my art practice is pivotal and can be found in nearly all projects, even if it is not part of the final exhibition. During the last years, my creative practice has shifted from works on paper to an innovative and experimental approach concerned with ways of seeing and engaging the viewer in an installation environment. Often the viewer is challenged to physically discover and explore the exhibition space by crouching or stretching to see fully the displayed drawings, to actively take part in the project and at times to alternate or change elements of the exhibition. My art practice explores and re-interprets the medium of drawing. I am interested in challenging the medium by introducing a wide apnoply of techniques, such as projecting drawings on slides or capturing moving, linear compositions on video. In previous exhibitions I have created an open platform for multi-layered art works using language, sound, drawing, slide and /or video projection in an installation environment. April 2005 |