Ptolemy Mann b. 1972

  • Since 1997 Ptolemy Mann has been running her own studio practice, which she established after graduation from Central Saint Martins...

    Since 1997 Ptolemy Mann has been running her own studio practice, which she established after graduation from Central Saint Martins and the Royal College of Art. Her unique approach to hand dyeing and weaving wall-based, architectural art works has become the basis for a modern-day Bauhaus philosophy of art making and design underpinned with intelligent colour theory. 

     

    Her time consuming and unique approach to creating these art works has evolved over a twenty-year period. Exquisite dynamics of colour move across their fine surface creating a painterly sweep. The term chromatic minimalism has been applied to her work and she is heavily influenced by Abstract Expressionism and architecture. 

     

    Mann is interested in making large scale, emotional work that expresses a deep sense of craftsmanship and precision through an abstract narrative. She has completed many large scale, site specific art installations using a number of materials and processes and exhibits and lectures regularly throughout the UK and abroad; writes for the magazine Selvedge, curates and has received two grants from the Arts Council of England. 

    Ptolemy Mann lives and works in the UK. 

  • ‘Colour is my obsession. Through a unique process of extremely refined hand dyeing and weaving I have been able to capture powerful ‘colourfields’ within a constructed surface. Each thread echo’s a painted line. Intelligent colour theory underpins an emotional exploration of intuitive colour.’ 
    Enquire
  • Installation Shots
  • Selected Works
  • Bibliography
    View works. Ptolemy Mann, Mann Tidal , 2024
    Mann Tidal , 2024
    View works

    SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS

    ​

    2024 A Danish Colour Odyssey, Galleri Lene Bilgrav, Århus, Denmark

    2024 Thread Painting - Presented by Taste Contemporary, Cromwell Place, London, UK

    2023 Unconscious Color, Findlay Galleries, Palm Beach, USA

    2022 Thresholds II, Findlay Galleries, New York, USA

    2022 Thresholds, Findlay Galleries, Palm Beach, USA

    2019-2024 Circadian Rhythm – Commissioned triptych, Tate Modern Gallery, London, UK

    2019 Bauhaus / Handwerk, Gallery Lau, Munich, Germany

    2019 Albedo, Old Street Gallery, London, UK

    2011-2012 The Architecture of Cloth – Colour and Space, UK

    A year long touring exhibition at Ruthin, Dovecot Studios, The Aram Gallery and Harley Galleries finishing at Gloucester Cathedral

    2010 Chromatic Minimalism, Gallery Lau, Munich, Germany

    ​

    ​

    SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS

    ​

    2023 Continuities: 2000 Years of Textile Arts in South America with Paul Hughes Fine Arts, Lamb Gallery, London, UK

    2022 The Blue Hour, Officinet, Copenhagen, Denmark

    2022 The Golden Hour, Galleri Lene Bilgrav, Copenhagen, Denmark

    2022 Art Genève – Art Fair with Taste Contemporary, Geneva, Switzerland

    2021 Odd and Even – A Collection, Presented by Taste Contemporary, Maison Louis Carré, Paris, France

    2021 2000 Years of Abstraction with Paul Hughes Fine Arts, Maiden Bradley Chapel, Somerset, UK

    2020 Art Genève – Art Fair with Taste Contemporary, Geneva Switzerland

    2019 Miart – Art Fair with Taste Contemporary, Milan, Italy

    2019 Art Genève – Art Fair with Taste Contemporary, Geneva, Switzerland

    2018 The Most Real Thing – New Art Centre, Roche Court, Salisbury, UK

    2014 Crafted – The Royal Academy, London, UK

    2013 Modern Makers – Presented by Sotheby's, Chatsworth House, Derbyshire, UK

    2010 'Inspired By – The Legacy of Anni Albers', Ruthin, Wales

    2009 'Significant Colour', The Aram Gallery, London, UK

    2007 Hue Line and Form – Curated by Peter Ting, Contemporary Applied Arts, London, UK

    2006 The London Art Fair 2005/6 and 2007 with Adrian Sassoon, London, UK

    2005 SCOPE – New York, USA

    2004 'Collect' Art Fair for Contemporary Objects, V&A Museum, London, UK

    2003 Ptolemy Mann-Textiles & Bob Crooks-Glass, Contemporary Applied Arts, London, UK

    1999 Design Resolutions, Royal Festival Hall, London, UK

    1998 Decorative Arts Today, Bonhams, London, UK

    ​

    ​

    AWARDS

    ​

    2021 Artist Residency, The Danish Art Workshops (SVFK)

    2011 Arts Council Grant for The Architecture of Cloth, Colour and Space

    2011 Homes and Gardens Best Fabric Designer of the Year

    2009 Arts Council Grant for Significant Colour

    ​

    ​

  • Video