TESTIMONIALS

PROJECTS

step in stone: ‘I cannot recommend Fiona Campbell highly enough… Not only is the work she produces wonderful… she is very organised, creative and a joy to work with… I have been utterly entranced by what has been achieved by this extraordinary collaborative event [step in stone].  The fourteen artists are from a myriad of artistic disciplines yet have created a glorious spectacle.  From the vastness of the quarries to the intimacy of the Black Swan’s Round Tower, the site-specific works harmonise with their environment.  Fiona Campbell and her artists have achieved something wonderful’.  Amanda Sheridan, Chair of Black Swan Arts, Frome, ‘15

Inch by IN:CH: ‘..Fiona Campbell’s experience and professionalism were unflagging’. Kelly M O’Brien, Artist, Inch by IN:CH ‘21

‘The tenacity, energy, focus and attention to detail by Fiona kept us all on track!’ Linda Ashe, Artist, Inch by IN:CH 

TEACHING

‘I feel as though I fed my soul’. Workshop participant, ‘23

‘Fiona is brilliant at coaxing and empowering creativity out of all audiences, including a roomful of practicing artists, curators, and teens!’ Kelly O’Brien, Artist, ‘22

‘Fiona is an excellent teacher and inspirer and is keen to encourage individuality!’. Helen Felton, Sculpture Course participant, (adults), ‘20

‘We are all absolutely delighted with the work the children produced, they loved your workshop’ Emma Williamson, Teacher, Christchurch C of E School, Bristol, ‘17

‘What a brilliant time we had …  I learnt so much from you and it was really stimulating and inspiring’. Painting with Acrylics Workshop (adults): Pauline, Somerset, ‘19

‘When I went into school on Wednesday I was met by such a fabulous wire tree! Thank you so much for helping to make our Arts Week such a success - the children really enjoyed working with you, were inspired by working with a new media and they gained some exciting new skills. It certainly brightens up our entrance area’. Helen Moore, Teacher, Watchfield Primary School, ‘14

TALKS

‘It was inspiring for people to see and hear from an artist taking us into the very specifics and details of our Biosphere… highly informative for us to see you making art works out of those ultra-local ecological specifics (in your garden) … while equally about the wider global environmental situation.  It was brilliant and illuminating, so thanks for all of the work and thought which you put into your work and into your presentation.  Your beautiful Video captures all of the above and also reflects some of the difficulties we have all faced in the past year of the Pandemic and Lockdowns, etc.. Our audience appreciated this greatly.’ Chris Green, Founder/Director Red Line Art Works, ‘21 

ARTWORK

‘Fiona’s capacity to make work that is unexpected, impactful and thought-provoking was revealed in her 'Cells Residency' at The Town Hall and the collaborative exhibition 'Incendiary' at Pound Arts. That Fiona's work leaves such a lasting impression is a testament to her courage and ingenuity, and I’m always excited to see what she’s going to do next. .. [of Tongue]: It takes a certain amount of courage to take this organ - this grotesque appendage that expresses so much about the dichotomies of our existence – and present it on such a monumental scale. But Fiona Campbell refuses to shy away from discomfort. Her response to the cells at Trowbridge Town Hall feels necessarily rebellious and subversive, placing the viewer in the positions of both the offender and the offended, and mercilessly forcing us to accept the power of the decisions we make.’ Katie Ackrill, Visual Arts Coordinator Pound Arts, Corsham (previously of Town Hall Arts), ‘21

‘I purchased a sculptural piece from Fiona Campbell’s body of work created during lockdown, entitled “Life in the Undergrowth”. Such an original series of works created using dug up remains from her garden. Ecologically sound and sustainable, combined with an original thought process, the final collection includes many artistic skills from detailed ink drawings to large mixed media sculptures, using natural and manmade found objects. The overall sense and feeling of movement and form usually associated with natural materials, highlights the artist’s dialogue with and connection to the natural world and is illustrated perfectly in the piece I purchased created using manmade dug up objects. I am inspired also by the sense of hope of new life springing from the static materials. I do so love the piece (which at present sits in my sitting on the window sill where the sunset sends a warm glow through the branches)!’ Jan Alison Edwards, Curator International Biennial Paper Fibre Art, ‘21

‘The spider in his web is a constant joy in our garden. I now see it dozens of times each day as it is now has been resited to directly face our kitchen windows. I never tire of seeing it, and occasionally real live spiders spin their webs within it. Not only is it beautifully made, anarchic, inspired and inspiring, but it always raises a smile and admiration from newcomers to it. [Fiona’s] bulrushes are still providing an unexpected backdrop in the new landscaping around our small pond. One client returned the second year [Fiona] exhibited with me to buy yet more of your woven nests that hang from trees. ‘ Maureen Michaelson, Gallerist, ‘22

‘[Fiona is] involved in such an amazing variety of projects and venues, nationally and internationally - such a variety of themes and very important issues, as well as the teaching and community projects. Whatever medium [Fiona is] using, [her] work has such a strong identity and keeps evolving in ever more exciting directions.  I always look forward to what comes next..’ Hel Felton, Artist, ‘23

‘I buy pieces that I feel something about. The piece has to speak to me and so I’ve bought work from [Fiona] that I can relate to which may have a slightly more commercial context than a true reflection of [Fiona’s] art. The pieces we have bought are nature based and relate to my love of gardening and outdoor life.’ Chrisi and Simon Kennedy, Patron

'I have two pieces of [Fiona’s] work - both very different but equally treasured. The first … is a small oil painting of red peppers which immediately appealed to me when I saw it on display during Somerset Arts Week.  I would describe it as 'voluptuous'!  It hangs in the kitchen and quite simply gives me joy whenever I look at it. The second piece is a group of three bulrush sculptures made from recycled steel and copper.  I love the way they catch the light and merge into the garden in such a natural and organic way.  I also like the way [Fiona] gives recycled materials a second lease of life and turns what others might perceive as rubbish into something so unexpected, delightful and joyful’. Celia Marsh, Patron

‘Fiona Campbell's Dung Beetle and Ball was an instant hit with all the judges. Imaginative, colourful and full of life it was a unanimous favourite for the 3D category.’  Judges of David Shepherd Wildlife Artist of the Year, ‘09

VOLUNTARY ROLES

‘You have brought so much to the trustees team - engaging with SAW in such a positive way, your incisive and broad-reaching PR and marketing, your defence of the rightful place of the artist in the gallery, the many workshops for which you got funding, challenging the board - so many skills beyond what I had expected when we first discussed your joining. Thank you very much.’ Amanda Sheridan, Chair Black Swan Arts, ‘17