Heather Boxall, a distinguished Prize Winner of the 2024 Ironbridge Fine Arts Printmaking Competition, will be featured in the upcoming Summer 2025 exhibition. Currently based in West Yorkshire, Heather’s artistic journey began in Gravesend, Kent, where she was born in 1960 and raised along the southeast Kent coast.
With a Fine Art degree from Winchester School of Art and an M.A. in Printmaking from Bradford School of Art, Heather has devoted her career to education since the 1990s. She has served as a senior lecturer in Fine Art at Cumbria University and held the position of Head of School at Bradford School of Art. Currently, she inspires the next generation of artists as an associate lecturer at both Craven and Bradford Colleges.
As a painter and printmaker, Heather is driven by a profound fascination with colour—a passion that was first recognized by the late Gillian Ayers, who acknowledged her talent as a colorist. Her artistic practice draws from a diverse range of influences, including literature, historical artworks, and the natural landscape, allowing her to create vibrant pieces that resonate with viewers and invite them into her unique interpretation of the world.
Heather Boxall : Notes on ‘Colour Standards’ work for summer exhibition
I have been creating a body of work since 2018 that references The British Colour Council Dictionary of Colour Standards, a publication that was first produced in 1934. It is a compilation of colour silk swatches adopted as the standard within the textile and other colour using industries. A second edition was made in 1951. Using this later version, ‘Colour Standards’ is a series of paintings, works on paper and prints that examine the rich and vibrant colours that form part of this dictionary.
The colour swatch sample book has 240 swatches of colour made of silk thread. For my exhibition at Ironbridge, I have embarked on a series of prints that reinterpret the colour chart with the aim of eventually reproducing all 240 colours.
About the British Colour Council Dictionary of Colour Standards
When the British Colour Council came into being in 1930, the declared aims and objects included the placing of colour determination for the British Empire in British hands and the provision of standard names for colours for the sake of clarity. In 1934 the Council published a Dictionary of Colour Standards in two volumes, one showing 220 colours presented on pure silk ribbon, named, numbered, and coded, and the other giving the history of each colour, the various names by which each had previously been known and the authority for standardisation.
As the British Colour Council developed its services to industry it became apparent that the bias in the dictionary towards colours for textiles made it less relevant as a standard reference work for Interior Decoration. Some colours which were suitable for clothes were insufficiently permanent for application to carpets, curtains and upholstery fabric, while others were technically impracticable for use in the pottery and glass industries, in porcelain and vitreous enamel or in the making of paint or other materials used in decorating.
In 1949 the Council published the Dictionary of Colours for Interior Decoration.
Ref http://patrickbaty.co.uk/2011/11/03/dictionary-of-colours-for-interior-decoration
About Ironbridge Fine Arts
Ironbridge Fine Arts Gallery, nestled in the historic Merrythought Village, is a family-run gallery committed to celebrating and elevating art across Shropshire and the UK. Through a dynamic program of exhibitions, we provide a platform for renowned and emerging artists alike, including our own family of talented creators. Each exhibition is thoughtfully curated to showcase a wide range of styles and media, creating an inspiring space for visitors to engage with exceptional art. We look forward to welcoming you to the Gallery and sharing all the work we have on display!
Meet the Artists – Saturday, 21st June 2025
Join us for a special afternoon with our featured artists: Heather Boxall, Steve Evans, Emma Jackson, and Jenny Gunning. This is a unique opportunity to meet the talented individuals behind the artwork on display in our Summer Exhibition. The artists will be on hand to discuss their creative processes, inspirations, and the stories behind their work.
Enjoy a relaxed atmosphere with some bubbly as you connect with the artists, ask questions, and gain insight into their artistic journeys. Whether you’re interested in the intricate colour exploration of Heather Boxall, the contemporary landscapes of Steve Evans, Emma Jackson’s expressive works, or Jenny Gunning’s mastery in printmaking, this afternoon promises to be a memorable experience.
Date: Saturday, 21st June 2025
Time: 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
We look forward to welcoming you to this exciting event and providing a closer look at the exceptional talent featured in our Summer Exhibition!
