Paul Digby

I am a Leeds based artist and graduated in 1997 from Norwich University College of the Arts. I have work in the Welcome Trust Collection and with private collectors. I have exhibited in including the RBS Gallery, Leeds City Gallery, the Cornerhouse in Manchester and the Saatchi Gallery. I have held residencies in High Royds and Rampton Hospital. I work with drawing, painting and sculpture.

I developed an interest in psychiatric diagnosis whilst on my MA at Bretton Hall University of Leeds in 2001 and have moved towards researching areas involved with Neuro-plasticity, the relationship between the brain and environment. In my practice I aim to capture this and our evolved need for narrative. Experimental Psychologist Bruce Hood argues “that the self – this entity at the centre of our personal universe – is actually just a story, a constructed narrative”. I think we attribute a Self narrative construct in to our creative practice, we can then place any manifestations within a physical space and a consciousness.

I sit on the steering group for the Yorkshire and Humber Contemporary Visual Arts Network . An organisation set up to help stimulate the regions art economy.

I was the Director of the National Arts and Science Network (2010-2013) which had a succession of ACE commissions for stimulating dialogue between the arts and sciences with a series of exhibitions, conferences and seminars in the Yorkshire region. NASN consists of a twelve person board and four staff.

I teach in Adult Education for the Workers Education Association. Working in Adult Social Care settings including mental health, people with a disability and socially deprived areas. I also deliver sessional work as a freelance artist.