I was born and raised in Cambridge and enjoyed art from an early age, using vast amounts of paper for my drawings and diagrams. In 1981 I was pleased to be accepted onto the foundation course in art at Cambridge College of Art and Technology. At that time it was seen as quite difficult to get a place on the course and it was there I really began to take my work seriously and believe that being an artist was right for me. After foundation I studied at Winchester School of Art receiving a BA (Hons) in Fine Art. I then moved to London where I studied at the Royal College of Art, graduating in 1987 with an MA in Fine Art (Printmaking).

Before leaving the RCA I began to exhibit my work. I found a studio space in South London and continued making artwork and exhibiting. Things were exciting and for the next few years I travelled and worked, attending artist's workshops as well as being invited as a visiting lecturer at various art colleges. In 1990 I was awarded a fellowship in printmaking at the RCA.

During 1991, with the help of the late Rose Rands and Warwick Hutton, I returned to the renamed Anglia Polytechnic University to teach printmaking on the foundation course that I had studied on, and in 1992 also took over teaching the evening class in printmaking. I enjoyed teaching at foundation level, finding the students full of ideas and possibility.

Exhibiting my work and showing in galleries and open studios had always been a priority. I staged two solo shows in 2001 and 2004. Fortunately the momentum has continued and I have just had another solo show of my work here in London where I am still based. More than ever I feel committed to my work, and am looking forward to future projects and even the possibility of teaching again.

My connection with Cambridge is still strong and I feel myself lucky to have had so much encouragement and support in my youth to pursue my art.

www.ianrawlinson.com

Ian Rawlinson
Foundation Art, 1982