Statement
Alex Russell is a painter and printmaker. His practice explores the space between opposites: handmade and digital, methodical and intuitive, science and art, faith and doubt, chaos and pattern. Fascinated by the creative process, his works are maps of their own making, visual records of routes found by the art itself.
Alex’s multi-layered, collage-like process of addition and subtraction develops iteratively, revealing archaeological glimpses of the early stages that are vital in the balance of the final outcome. Only a fraction of the hundreds or thousands of elements that have been used to arrive at the whole remain visible. The work celebrates the endless, joyful possibilities of colour, form and composition, rewarding repeated viewing by revealing new content and interpretations over time.
Alex spends a significant amount of time setting up systems and conditions that will allow the work to grow, often using sets of rules in the form of code or instructions that allow randomness within defined limits: a stochastic space somewhere within which will be a sweet spot. This allows for both experimentation and fine-tuning, for trying to coax something mysterious and mercurial into being. The process blends craft with instinct, drawing on Alex’s tacit skills from a lifetime of making images. He looks for a tipping point where the art takes over, a state of following the imagery, of letting it tell him what to do and when it is finished.
Alex is intrigued by how traditions of composition can be expressed as a grammar and combined with the scientific concepts of complex systems and emergence. Overarching his practice is a conceptual approach to pattern, including repeat pattern (from textile design), design patterns (from software design) and pattern language (from architecture).
Bio
Alex Russell (born Dorset, UK) has worked exclusively as an artist since 2022. His studio is in Manchester (UK). A selection of the exhibitions and events he has participated in is below.
Prior to this, Alex was a printed textiles/surface pattern designer and lecturer. He sold to an international client list and his work features widely in books about printed textiles. As a lecturer, Alex taught under/postgraduates for nearly 20 years. His book “The Fundamentals Of Printed Textiles Design” is in its 2nd edition and has been translated into French and Spanish.
Selected exhibitions/events
2026
‘Collage’, exhibition. Milestone Gallery, New Mills (UK). March 2026.
‘Blue and Berry Art Event’, exhibition. Tatton Perk, Chelford (UK). Curated by Jess Flewitt. February 2026.
’20×20′, exhibition. dot-art Gallery: Liverpool. Curated by Hazel Preston and Lucy Byrne. February – April 2026.
2025
‘The Lake Gallery Open’, exhibition. The Lake Gallery: West Kirby (UK). Curated by Helen Smith, Marianthi Lainas and Clare Flinn. November 2025 – January 2026.
‘Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair’, artist/makers fair. Victoria Baths: Manchester (UK). Curated by Ann-Marie Franey and Victoria Scholes. October 2025.
“Goosfest Art in the Barns”, exhibition. Orchard Farm: Goostrey (UK). Curated by Clinton Cahill, Debbie Goldsmith and Jenny Walker. September 2025.
‘Liverpool Art Fair’, exhibition. Liver Building: Liverpool (UK). Curated by Claire Henderson and Lucy Byrne. July – August 2025.
‘Great Northern Contemporary Craft and Art Fair’, artist/makers fair. Sport Central, Northumbria University: Newcastle (UK). Curated by Ann-Marie Franey and Victoria Scholes. June 2025.
‘Cheshire Print Fair’, print fair. Chester Cathedral: Chester (UK). Curated by Alison and Vince Patterson. May 2025.
‘Bread and Roses’, exhibition. dot-art Gallery: Liverpool. Curated by Claire Henderson and Lucy Byrne. May – August 2025.
2024
‘Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair’, artist/makers fair. Victoria Baths: Manchester (UK). Curated by Ann-Marie Franey and Victoria Scholes. October 2024.
‘Liverpool Art Fair Artist Talk’, presentation. Liver Building: Liverpool (UK). Organised by Claire Henderson and Leah Rogers. July 2024.
‘Liverpool Art Fair’, exhibition. Liver Building: Liverpool (UK). Curated by Claire Henderson and Lucy Byrne. June – August 2024.
‘Chester Art Beat’, exhibition, art walking trail. Grosvenor Shopping Centre and various venues, Chester (UK). Curated by Juliet Cook and Hannah Weber; project managed by David Lawson. July 2022.
‘Cheshire Print Fair’, print fair. Chester Cathedral: Chester (UK). Curated by Alison and Vince Patterson. May 2024.
‘Liverpool Print Fair’, print fair. The Bluecoat: Liverpool (UK). Curated by Abigail Sinclair and Mark Adamson. April 2024.
‘Dorkbot Manchester’, presentation/exhibition. SODA: Manchester (UK). Curated by Henry Cooke. February 2024.
2023
‘GNCCF Online’, online artist/makers fair. www.greatnorthernevents.co.uk Curated by Ann-Marie Franey and Victoria Scholes. December 2023.
‘Manchester Makers’, Instagram event. Curated by Gina Nadal. December 2023.
‘The One International Digital Art’, exhibition. Migawka Gallery, Browar B Cultural Center, Włocławek (PL). Curators: Alicja Wieczorek, Katarzyna Wendland. September – November 2023.
‘Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair’, artist/makers fair. Victoria Baths: Manchester (UK). Curated by Ann-Marie Franey and Victoria Scholes. October 2023.
‘Manchester Made’, exhibition. Waterside Arts: Sale (UK). Curated by Michelle Keeling. July – September 2023.
‘The National Festival of Making’, print fair. Blackburn Cathedral: Blackburn (UK). Curated by Abigail Sinclair and Mark Adamson. July 2023.
‘Craft and Flea’, artists/makers fair. Town Hall: Lancaster (UK). April 2023.
‘Good Market Art and Print’, art and print fair. FACT: Liverpool (UK). Curated by Rebekah Frech. March 2023.
‘The One’, exhibition, art contest. Galeria Forum: Torún (PL). Jury 1: Katarzyna Wendland, Alicia Wieczorek, Tomasz Wlazlak. Jury 2: Jakub Matys, Giles Timms, Mykhaylo Barabash. December 2022 – January 2023.
2022
‘Craft and Flea’, artists/makers fair. Left Bank: Leeds (UK). November 2022.
‘Liverpool Print Fair’, print fair. Chapters Of Us: Liverpool (UK). Curated by Abigail Sinclair and Mark Adamson. November 2022.
‘Art All Dayer Autumn Edition’, art fair. 100 Barbirolli Square, Manchester (UK). Curated by Domino Panton-Oakley. September 2022.
‘Cheshire Print Fair’, print fair. The Storyhouse: Chester (UK). Curated by Alison and Vince Patterson. September 2022.
‘Chester Art Beat’, exhibition, live art walking trail. M & S and various venues, Chester (UK). Curated by Julie Mitchell and Canon Jane Brooke. July 2022.
‘Art All Dayer Summer Edition’, art fair. Hallé St. Peter’s, Manchester (UK). Curated by Domino Panton-Oakley. June 2022.
‘Drawing’, exhibition. Fronteer Gallery: Sheffield (UK). Curated by Sharon and Michael Borkowsky. June 2022.
‘Cheshire Print Fair’, print fair. Chester Cathedral: Chester (UK). Curated by Alison and Vince Patterson. April 2022.
‘Genuary 2023’, online show. Symbiocene Gallery: Toronto (CA). Curated by Tristan Sauer. March 2022 onwards.
‘Art All Dayer’, art fair. Hallé St. Peter’s, Manchester (UK). Curated by Domino Panton-Oakley. March 2022.
2021 and earlier
‘#Genuary’, online show. Symbiocene Gallery: Toronto (CA). Curated by Tristan Sauer. February 2021 onwards.
‘Creative Code Festival’ exhibition, live stream. Lightbox: New York (US). Curated collaboratively by Never Knows Better, New Media Art, XRE Ensemble, Celeste Journal and Creative Code Art. November 2020.
‘BBC Digital Cities’, exhibition. Media City, Salford (UK). November 2017.
‘Creative Industries Showcase’, presentation. Manchester Metropolitan University (UK). October 2015.
‘FTC Associate Research Event’, presentation. Manchester School of Art (UK). May 2014.
‘Building Launch Event’, exhibition. Manchester School of Art (UK). November 2013.
‘Seamless: The Digital in Design’, exhibition. Museum of Architecture and Design: Ljubljana (RS), curated by Dr. Annie Shaw, Fabrizio Cocchiarella. September to November 2013.
‘Digital Innovation’, presentation. Manchester Metropolitan University (UK). February 2013.
‘CODE Creatives’, presentation. Manchester Metropolitan University (UK). March 2012.
‘Power of Copying’, exhibition. Xuzhou Museum of Art: Jiangsu Province (CH). Curated by Dr. Tongyu Zhou. May to July 2010.
‘Surface Design Technology and Tradition’, exhibition. Kulturcenter Huset, Aarhus (DK). 2003.
Qualifications
MA Textiles, Manchester Metroplitan University (1992).
BA (Hons) Fashion and Textiles, Manchester Polytechnic (1991).
Membership of professional bodies
Castlefield Gallery (Manchester) Associate 2026-
People of Print: Member 2022-2023
Association of Illustrators: Member 2006-2008
Royal Society of Arts: Associate 1990-1992, Fellow from 1992
People of Print: Member 2022-2023
Selected educational/academic talks and papers
Prior to 2018, Alex gave/wrote presentations on his practice, generative art and pattern/print at a range of university, colleges, museums and other institutions including:
Auckland University of Technology (NZ), Fashion and Textiles Museum (London, UK), Foundation Ente Cassa Risparmio (IT), Huddersfield University (UK), Leeds Arts University (UK), Manchester Metropolitan University (UK), Manchester University (UK), Nottingham Trent University (UK), Salford University (UK), Sheffield City Museum (UK), Stockport College (UK), University of Central Lancashire (UK).
Selected clients (as a pattern and print designer)
Alexander Henry, Almedahls, Bertoni, Bjorn Borg, C and A (Clockhouse), Carven, Clerici Tessuto, Eco Tapeter, Etam, European Library, Fit Flop, H and M, Iceman, Intersport, JC, Jeva, Juvita, Kendix, Lee, Lego, Levi Strauss, Manuva, Matinique/InWear, Mitlödi (Gessner), Moschino, Nanso, New Yorker, Nokia, Oilily, Osh Kosh, Roberto Cavalli, Schiesser, Speedo, Tom Taylor, Thomas Pink, Tommy Hilfiger, Vero Moda/Jack and Jones, Vlisco.
Selected book/magazine features (as a pattern and print designer)
Repeatless generative design project in Sue Carden’s ‘Digital Textile Printing: Art, Design, Culture’ (2014) Bloomsbury (London).
Selection of pattern and print designs in Drucilla Cole’s ‘Patterns’, Laurence King (London), 2007.
Feature and selection of pattern and print designs in XFUNS magazine’s ‘Wallpaper Special Issue’ (June 2008), Johnson Publications, Taiwan (TW).
Feature and selection of pattern and print designs in Martin Dawber’s ‘New Fashion Prints’ (2008), Batsford, London (UK).
Feature and selection of pattern and print designs in Bradley Quinn’s ‘Textile Designers at the Cutting Edge’ (2009), Laurence King, London (UK).
Trade fairs (as a pattern and print designer)
Alex’s designs were shown internationally from 2002 to 2019, chiefly with the Amsterstampa agency (NL). Selected fairs include:
Premiere Vision (Paris, FR), Direction (New York, US), Heimtex (Frankfurt am Main, DE), Printsource (New York, US), Surtex (New York, US).
Links
A selection of paintings and framed prints are available online at Dot Art.
A selection of paintings are available in person at Hilde Gallery.
For regular updates, follow Alex on Instagram.
Top image: “A Scheme Not Of This World 231004 004”, portrait of Alex Russell, “”Illumination”
Bottom image: “Palimpsest 231005 1653”, “Pale Rain”, Alex Russell’s studio