Giles Ward

Giles Ward is a leading contemporary artist whose work celebrates the intricate beauty and unexpected vibrancy of sea life and the natural world. Based in the scenic Wye Valley, his paintings transform careful observations of nature into compelling compositions that reveal hidden dimensions of color and texture.

Educational Foundation

Giles' artistic journey began in his native Yorkshire, where his early interest in the natural world found expression through formal study of Fine Art at Sheffield. Seeking to expand his technical repertoire, he later moved to Exeter to pursue further education in Illustration and Design, developing the versatile approach that characterizes his current work.

Giles Ward's Creative Approach

At the heart of Giles' artistic practice lies a spirit of experimentation and discovery. Working predominantly in oils, he creates richly textured surfaces by incorporating an eclectic range of additional media—acrylics, inks, spray paint, and varnishes—resulting in canvases with otherworldly qualities. 

This mixed-media approach extends to the incorporation of unconventional materials, including sawdust, thread, and even crab shell, which he uses to enhance the three-dimensional qualities of his subjects, literally lifting them from the surface.

Inspiration and Process

Giles finds particular inspiration in marine life, sourcing subjects directly from fishmongers, with Brixham Fish Market serving as a rich wellspring of creative stimulus. While he prefers working from life, photography plays an essential role in his creative process, allowing him to capture the ephemeral qualities of his subjects—particularly the shimmering vibrancy of fresh fish—and explore them through various layering and mixed media approaches.

Artistic Vision

Through his lens-based studies, Giles discovers intricate and often overlooked details in his subjects. He notes with particular fascination how fish scales "shimmer with not greys, but mauves and purples and, when caught in just the right light, a pale sky blue appears." 

This keen observation of nature's hidden palette informs his distinctive style, where he approaches paint in a sculptural way, applying thick layers of oil and incorporating other media to create works of remarkable depth and texture.

Exhibition and Recognition

Giles' distinctive approach to natural subjects has earned his work places in numerous respected galleries across the United Kingdom and beyond. Additionally, his work has been featured at prestigious events including the Battersea and Hampstead Art Fairs in London.