Wanda Garner

Born in London I live and work in Ynys Môn.

‘A thousand fibres connect us with our fellow man” (Melville H)

The core of my practice is printmaking: collagraph, mono printing and dry point being my preferred methods, I also encompass drawing, painting, poetry, film making and installation. Process is crucial to my work and how ideas form and develop.

My practice reflects how I negotiate and reflect on my place in the world, a half Polish, culturally catholic woman born in twentieth century Britain.

Sometimes playful, sometimes deeply serious, often blurring reality and fantasy I reflect the human condition with all its absurdities, flaws, concerns, and longings. There are recurring themes in my work and allusions to politics, psychology, culture, and spirituality.

Influenced by Foucault’s notion of Heterotopia as a world that is outside and apart from the everyday yet mirrors it, the circus remains a favourite source of imagery in recreating an alternative world.

Education

B ed, Art St Mary’s University Strawberry Hill Twickenham

Post Graduate, Teacher of the Deaf certificate Manchester University

London Drama Board diploma

British Sign Language Level three

Med modules, University of Plymouth : Psychology

MA Art practice, Merit, Glyndwr University Wrexham 2021

Following a career in education; teaching and advising, now focusing on own work.

List of exhibitions etc.

Awarded Emerging artist Bursary by Devon Artist’s network 2013

Solo exhibitions ‘Fairy tales’ Crediton Library. September 2014,

Oriel Mon Anglesey ‘Every picture tells a story’ September 2021

Oriel Môn 'studio' 2024-2025

Open studio events: Devon 2013. Anglesey. 2016, 2017, 2018 2022, 2023

Group exhibitions: Printing show various Devon venues. 2013

‘Al Mutanabbi street project’toured internationally 2015-2017 and now permanently sited in several museums across the world

R.S.Thomas literary festival 2016. Oriel Davies, ‘Imaginary Worlds’ 2017

Qube Oswestry 2017 ‘Ucheldre Anglesey ‘Myths and Legends’ 2017,

Galeri 45 Bangor ‘Woman to Woman’ 2017 Mostyn Llandudno ‘Showcase on colour’ 2019.

Royal Cambrian Academy Conwy ‘By Invitation’ September 2019

Printcard exhibition Wroclaw Poland Summer 2017 and Winter 2022

Seacourt, Northern Ireland, Small print show 2021Little Buoys White Box Pontio 2021

CARN members show 2021, 2022 ,2023,2024

MOMA Machynlleth,Plas Glyn y Weddw ‘Women of Wales, Women of the World 2023

Open exhibitions:

Royal Cambrian Academy, Conwy 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2023

Grosvenor Museum January 2017 Chester Arts Centre June 2017

MOMA Machynlleth 2018 North Wales Open, June 2017 November 2021

Storiel, Bangor 2018, 2019 2023 and Winter showcase 2018

Gwyl y Ferch open exhibition 2019, 2022, Oriel Brodanw, 2019 , 2020 ,2023

Yellow Gallery, Caernarfon 2020, 2021 and by invitation 2022 and 2024

Old Post Office sorting office Scarborough , selected for inaugural printing exhibition 2024

Galeri, Caernarfon 2024-2025

Collaborations with David Garner

‘Shed Print Shed’ Llanfechell Anglesey December 2017

‘Entangled Threads’ mixed media collaboration with David Garner, installation part of Sui Generis, Plas Bodfa Llangoed Ynys Mon 2019. Tea Room Plas Bodfa 2022

Awarded Welsh Arts Council grant 2023 for Pantomime/ Behind the Mask installation at Oriel Brondanw in 2024 and at Pontio Bangor and Ucheldre Arts centre in in 2025

Other collaborations

Animation of Ness Owen’s poem, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTVWqGUtWRc

Working with dancer Natasha Dawkes creating films for 2 installations

Working with deaf signer, Fi Hughes to incorporate her signs within my film

Installation

Entangled Threads 2019, see above

‘Sanctum’ Unus multorum,Plas Bodfa , went on line 2020

MA ‘Sanctuary’, Plas Bodfa 2021

Surreal festivals group events Bangor /Anglesey ‘‘Gallery without walls’ August 2020 Gallery in a box June 2021

Short Films :

St Albans museum, “Grief’ exhibition 2022 , White Box Pontio “Little buoys”2021 , Women’s short film festival, Pontio Bangor 2022, 2023 Pontio foyer 2022 “Dust and Ashes’, Oriel Mon, permanent collection ‘ Birthday Requiem’ 2022, a response to Covid

Other films may be seen on Youtube site

Poetry anthologies.

Gwyl Y Ferch 2022. Tree Sense, On line 2023

‘Smashed peaches’ 2023