Simon Ripley

Simon founded Exeter’s Double Elephant Print Workshop with colleague Lynn Bailey in 1995.

He is currently a Director of the workshop which is a Community Interest Company.

DoB : 2nd March 1962

Web site: www.simonripley.co.uk      www.doubleelephant.org.uk  http://www.devonartistnetwork.co.uk/artists/simon-ripley

Education :
Foundation in Arts Therapy. ‘Art in Mental Health’ 2004
NVQ Level 3 Business start-up 2003
NVQ Level 3 Further and Adult Education 1997
BA Hons 2i.  Fine Art  : University of Plymouth. (Dissertation entitled “Art & Healing” 1995
Winner of Plymouth University Bridget McCrum Prize 1995.)
East London Polytechnic. Diploma in Combined Arts 1992
Islington College of Further Education. London. Art & Design Access. 1991
Diploma in International Law : London University 1986
LLB Hons 2ii : University of Sheffield 1984

Employment :
Founder and Director : Double Elephant Print Workshop 1996 to date

Torbay Public Health Suicide Prevention Project Feb –  “Just Ask” Sept 2016
Residency at Flatbed Press and Mobile Art, Austin Texas. May / June 2015
Project Leader : ‘Redefining Print’  2014/ 15. A two year Arts Council funded project to explore new approaches to printmaking leading to exhibitions and a Symposium in November 2015
Project Leader : Conversation Station March 2014 and Redefining Print May 2014
Artist in Residence Musgrove Park Hospital Taunton. January to May 2014
Artist in Residence Franklyn Hospital Alzheimer’s Unit, Exeter. January to October  2012
Artist in Residence Growing Hearts & Minds Project. B Arts Stoke on Trent. From February 2011
Artist in Residence Wonford House Hospital acute psychiatric inpatient Unit. November 2010
Associate Artist Plymouth Hospital Derriford. July 2010 to January 2012
Artist Led Initiatives Advisory Service – advisor.  An Arts Council England project. 2005 – 08
Project Co-ordinator. Arts in education projects : ‘DepARTure’ – Dorset County Council 2001 – 02
Lecturer part time : University Plymouth and Exeter College 1995 – 97
Legal Advisor. United Nations High Commission for Refugees. Hong Kong 1989 – 90
Caseworker : UK Immigrants Advisory Service Refugee Unit and Joint Council for Welfare of Immigrants. 1987 – 1991
Research Assistant : Runnymede Trust and University of London  1986 – 1988
Office Assistant : UN Gedaref Field Office and Project Trust Representative. Sudan 1984 – 85
Teaching Assistant : Hantoub Secondary School. Wad Medani. Sudan. 1980 – 81

Selected workshops and residencies :

Somerset Art Works/Taiunton Academy – Playground design for Blackthorn Pocket Park, Taunton
HMP Dartmoor / Devon Guild “Freehand”  12 week residency July and November 2014
Print on Prescription scheme. Double Elephant 2009 – 14
CEDA disabled children’s banner making workshops June 2012
St Petrock’s Exeter homeless project. March 2011
Print workshop with families of Deaf children  March 2010
Grenville Pupil Referral Unit February 2010
DAISI residency at All Saints Cof E Primary School, Torquay, Devon Jan. 2010
Regional Development Agency Dec. 2009
Bideford College Year 11 Nov. 2009
Centre for Contemporary Art & the Natural World. Art in the Park September 2009
Headway Brain Injury Association Series of workshops at Double Elephant 2008
Early Years ‘’Reggio Emilia’ Residency at Ilfracombe Infant & Nursery School Winter 2008
HMP Shepton Mallet prison art workshops Summer 2007
pARTicipate ACESW – ‘Lifeworks’ mental health service users print workshops 2006 to 2009
Residency printmaking with elderly people.  ‘Upstream’ www.upstream-uk.com. Spring 2006
HM Prison Guys Marsh Artist in Residence Spring 2002
Heavitree Maternity Hospital Exeter 2002

Selected Exhibitions :
2004     Casa Mia Modern Life and Art, Tokyo & Osaka, Japan.
2005     Artonomy Fine Art, Truro, Cornwall.
2006     McHardy Coombs Gallery, London. /  Jennifer Gerard Gallery, Abingdon. / Winter Collection, Arflex, Tokyo & Osaka, Japan.
2007    Devon Guild of Craftsmen, Bovey Tracey, Devon. /  AAF with Francis Burrows Gallery, Battersea, London. / Brook Gallery, Budleigh Salterton, Devon.
2008      istorm,  Exeter. / de gallerie, The Haig    www.dekunstuitleendenhaag.nl . /  AAF Amsterdam with Stark Gallery. /  ‘Rich Resources’ The Brewhouse Gallery, Taunton.
2009    Stark Gallery, Canterbury.  / LS1 Leeds. / Impress ’09 Stroud. /  IMPACT  showcase UWE Bristol. / Purple Gallery Birmingham.
2011 Red Earth Gallery, Tiverton / Derriford Hospital, Plymouth
2012 Art Cheshire with The Brook Gallery / Greenhill Gallery / Devon Open Studios
2013 Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital / Redearth Gallery / Quartz Festival / Exeter Phoenix /Greenhill Gallery Moretonhampstead.
2014 Ariel Gallery, Totnes. Musgrove Gallery, Taunton.

Collections : The Bank of England, South Devon Healthcare Trust, Nottingham City Hospital, Deutsche Morgan Grenfell, Exeter University, Starbucks, Somerset County Council, Twickenham Rugby Football Union, The Victoria & Albert Museum, Direct Action Centre for Peace and Memory, Cape Town, South Africa and in private collections in the UK, USA and Japan.

Member Exeter Chamber of Commerce 2014 –
Member Devon Guild of Craftsmen 2009 – 2012
Member West of England Academy 2009 – 2011
Board Member Villages in Action 2008 – 2010
Board Member Spacex Gallery 1997 – 1999