Sian Bonnell (born 1956) is a British photographic artist. Her work is held in the collections of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, and the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.
Early life and education
Bonnell was born in London. She received a BA (Hons) in Fine Art, Sculpture from Chelsea School of Art (1978âÂÂ81); an MA in Fine Art from Newcastle-upon-Tyne Polytechnic (1983âÂÂ85); and a PhD by published work from Manchester Metropolitan University (2012âÂÂ13).
Work
Bonnell's practice has developed significantly over thirty years. Initially her practice was such that she "places ordinary household objects in the outdoors and, therefore, out of context. She then photographs these sculptural installations, producing imagery that is at once humorous and thought-provoking." Since then, "Bonnell's approach has developed into something she describes as 'Wilful Amateurism', which involves the fusing of sculpture and performance into something photographic."
Publications
- When the Domestic Meets the Wild. 2001. With an essay by Iain Biggs. Exhibition catalogue.
- From an Elsewhere Unknown. Cardiff: Ffotogallery; London: Hirschl Contemporary Art, 2004. With essays by Mark Haworth-Booth and Mel Gooding. .
- Everyday Dada. Stockport: Dewi Lewis, 2006. .
- Wilful Amateur. Plymouth: Neverdone, 2025. With essays by Aliki Braine, Bonnell, Duncan Woolridge and a transcript of Bonnell in conversation with Susan Bright. Edition of 500 copies.
Exhibitions
Solo exhibitions
- Kucken Theater, Art Galerie Siegen, Siegen, Germany, 2024
- Ten Seconds, Photofusion Gallery, London, 2022
Group exhibitions
- Secret Garden, Angel Row Gallery, Nottingham, 2000
- Seeing the Light: Narrascape, with Barbara Downs, Deborah Jones, Thomas Kellner, Clare Smith and Frank Yamrus, The New Art Gallery Walsall, Walsall, MayâÂÂJuly 2003. Curated by Rhonda Wilson.
- Generations: Portraits of Holocaust Survivors, Royal Photographic Society Gallery, Bristol, JanuaryâÂÂMarch 2022
- Wahlverwantschaft, curated by Mirjam Veldhuis, Pictura, Groningen, Netherlands, AprilâÂÂMay 2025
Exhibitions curated by Bonnell
- Elusive, Camberwell College of Arts, London, FebruaryâÂÂMarch 2011. With work by Suky Best, Karen Brett, Kathryn Faulkner, Anna Fox, Toby Glanville, Laura Guy, Fergus Heron, Jane Hilton, Juneau Projects, Uta Kogelsberger, Chrystel Lebas, Anthony Luvera, John Miles, Wendy McMurdo, Trish Morrissey, Heidi Morstang, Spencer Murphy, Magali Nougarede, Chino Otsuka, Helen Sear, Self Publish, Be Happy, Nigel Shafran, David Spero, Tansy Spinks, Eva Stenram, Clare Strand, Patricia Townsend, Steven Tynan, and Verdi Yahooda.
- '...on Making', Gdansk Gallery of Photography, National Museum, GdaÃ
Âsk, Poland, MarchâÂÂJune 2019. Curated by Bonnell and Malgorzata TarazKiewicz-Zwolicka, with work by Cheryl Newman, Eleonora Agostini, Flannery O'kafka, Fleur Olby, Lydia Goldblatt, Maryam Wahid, Phoebe Kiely and Bonnell.
Awards
Collections
Bonnell's work is held in the following permanent collections:
References
External links