Work of Dave & Ali Barden
Dave & Ali Barden – Artist Statement:
Dave and Ali Barden have lived in the Tyne Valley since 1976, first in Corbridge and then in
Hexham, where they both currently have home based studios. They share a common professional
background working in education. Ali taught for many years and was Head of a Northumberland
First School and Dave was a lecturer in Fine Art at Northumbria University.
Both have an active interest in the arts especially music, and enjoy travel mainly in Italy where
they have a house in Umbria.
Well known for his work on Olympic sport and jazz music Dave more recently began to explore
subject matter based on time spent in Italy. The imagery in his paintings is derived from the urban
landscape of the ‘hill towns’ in Umbria and Tuscany utilising an extensive collection of sketchbook
material and photographs. Closer to home his interest in architectural details and transient effects
of light and shade has been found in more local environments providing a complementary aspect
to his work.
Ali makes small scale ceramic sculpture based her immediate environment and her relationships
with landscape and within family. The colours and textures of her rural surroundings in
Northumberland and the seascapes of her coastal hometown are combined with a lyrical use of
words and poetry. Using a variety of techniques including digital transfer she attempts to create
an atmosphere to evoke an experience or recollection…a walk in the woods, a family history, a
personally significant text.
This is the first time Dave and Ali have shared an exhibition space together.
