Irene Sanderson is a painter, illustrator, printmaker and calligrapher, working mainly in ink and watercolour on absorbent papers such as Xuan and washi.

She was born in Sheffield.

Married to Don Sanderson, a translator, and they have two children.

She is a member of the Eden Valley Artistic Network

I Sanderson Miko Sumi and watercolour on Moon Palace paper

I-Sanderson_Miko_Sumi-and-watercolour-on-Moon-Palace-paper
h-64cms x w-54cms


2022

Still following the B4RN workers, contractors and volunteers recording the installation of the "world's fastest rural broadband". Now going "live"!

Preparations underway for the exhibition of work at hArt Hereford's Art week from 3 - 11 September. I shall be joining the other creatives at venue 86 of ceramicist Bridget Drakeford to create a delightful and welcoming venue for all art lovers.


Absolute Classics arranged with pianist Noriko Ogawa to set her playing to paintings from Shrines, a collection of my work based on shrines and icons of the Shintō faith in Japan. Alex McQuiston has produced a video of our collaboration for the series of classic concerts at Netherby Hall in the wild and wonderful Borders. Noriko's solo performance is stunning. Most of her carefully chosen selection of music is by Japanese composers, pieces rarely seen actually played before us.

2021

Collaboration with Noriko Ogawa performed at Netherby Hall alongside exhibition of work

Through the Locking Glass  The Gallery, Rheged

Exhibiting artist with Eden Valley Artistic Network

hArt BD Fownhope, Hereford HR1 4PU  www.bdporcelain.co.uk

2020

Exhibiting artist with Eden Valley Artistic Network

Cumbria Open 2019 Upfront Gallery, Hutton-in-the-Forest, Penrith www.up-front.com

In Support  Exhibition in support of Treasures of China, Tullie House, Museum and Art Gallery, Castle Street, Carlisle

Through the Locking Glass  The Studio, Morland

2019

Shrines  Solo exhibition of ink painting.  Upfront Gallery, Hutton in the Forest, Penrith Cumbria (Event for Japan-UK Season of Culture 2019-2021)

Cumbria Open 2019 Upfront Gallery, Hutton-in-the-Forest, Penrith

2018

Lead artist for project with artist members of Making Space

Summer Exhibition, Lake Artists Society, Grasmere

hArt BD Fownhope, Hereford HR1 4PU  www.bdporcelain.co.uk

2017

Designer and illustrator for blossom. A novel by Masako Saito translated by Don Sanderson published by Donko Books  www.donkobooks.com

Fluidity  Joint show with ceramicist Bridget Drakeford.  The Ice House, Holland Park, London.  In Association with the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea's Arts and Leisure Services

Summer Exhibition, Lake Artist Society, Grasmere

hArt BD Fownhope, Hereford HR1 4PU  www.bdporcelain.co.uk

2016

Cumbria Open 2016  Upfront Gallery, Hutton-in-the-Forest, Penrith  www.up-front.com

Designer and illustrator for Katie and the Floods published by Joellen publications  www.joellenpublications.co.uk 

Spirit in the Eden Armathwaite, Carlisle

2015

Cumbria Open 2015  Upfront Gallery, Hutton-in-the-Forest, Penrith  www.up-front.com

hArt Venue 7  Fownhope, Hereford HR1 4PU  www.bdporcelain.co.uk

Lead artist  The Big Draw  Florence Arts Centre, Florence Mine, Egremont CA22 2NR

Designer and illustrator for Joe and the Camera published by Joellen Publications

Borderlines  Workshop with author Sue Fox for the Carlisle Book Festival www.borderlinescarlisle.co.uk

2014

Guest artist: Alston Art Group Summer Show, Alston, Cumbria

Spirit in the Eden Armathwaite, Carlisle

hArt  Venue 43  Fownhope, Hereford HR1 4PU  www.bdporcelain.co.uk

C-Art: Ground  Florence Arts Centre, Florence Mine, Egremont CA22 2NR   www.florencemine.com  Group exhibition

Upfront Gallery Hutton-in-the-Forest, Penrith   Exhibition of works as one of their resident artists

Chinese Landscape Approaches  "The Grot", Rydal Hall, Rydal ("...this beautiful retreat" Wordsworth)

The Big Draw  Florence Arts Centre, Florence Mine, Egremont CA22 2NR  www.florencemine.com (awarded commendation)

Designer and illustrator for Joe and the Window published by Joellen Publications

2013
Contemporary Cumbria  Upfront Gallery, Hutton in the Forest, Penrith, Cumbria

Borderlines  Joint show with ceramicist Bridget Drakeford.  The Ice House, Holland Park, London.  In Association with the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea’s Arts and Leisure Service

2012

2013
Contemporary Cumbria  Upfront Gallery, Hutton in the Forest, Penrith, Cumbria

Borderlines  Joint show with ceramicist Bridget Drakeford.  The Ice House, Holland Park, London.  In Association with the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea’s Arts and Leisure Service

2012
Gallery II  Rheged, Penrith
Rock Solid? expo  Kendal Museum, Station Road, Kendal
Public Art Collection, House of Lords (Two works selected for the permanent collection)

2011
Twelve (Cumbrian Artists)  The Gallery, Rheged, Penrith

2010
hart (Hereford Art Week)  Artist in residence: Fownhope, Hereford
Love Carlisle – Love/Hate Banner  Artist-guide for youth project
The Rock Currock Youth Project, Currock, Carlisle

2009
Eden  Mural: Cranstons Food Hall, Cranstons, Ullswater Road, Penrith
At the Eastern Gate  Joint show with ceramicist Bridget Drakeford.  The Ice House, Holland Park, London.  In Association with the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea's Arts and Leisure Service
Ink & Stone  Solo exhibition: Hip Gallery, neo’s, Cockermouth, Cumbria

2008
The Mustard Seed Garden Path to Blencathra  FRED (Art Invasion of Cumbria) fold gallery, Market Square, Kirkby Stephen
Art in Action Ireland  Exhibitor and demonstrator Townley Hall, Dublin

2007
Contemporary Open Art Exhibition  Circle Gallery, Theatre by the Lake, Keswick
Light & Dark  Joint show with photographer Robert Blomfield: Freeman College, Merlin Gallery, Tintagel House, Sheffield
Pig in Japan  Award from the Arts Council England
Exhibition: Gallery St Ives, Tokyo
Artist in residence: Kawane Arts Centre, Shizuoka
Workshops: (on drawing) for Fujisawa Civic Centre and for Autism Society of Japan, Tokyo
Research: landscapes of the urban, rural and spiritual
Women’s Arts International Festival  (Ink-painting instruction) Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal
Society of Lake Artists Exhibition  Grasmere New Hall, Grasmere
Windows on our Mind  Lead artist for exhibition celebrating creativity of those whose lives are affected by mental health issues. Bluebell Bookshop and shop windows throughout Penrith In association with Eden Mind

1993-present  Studio in Cumbria.
Freelance illustration for various publishers (Paul Norbury Publications, Ward Lock etc)
Tutor for Cumbria County Council, Higham Hall College, HF holidays, Tullie House Museum, Eden Arts, Creative Partnerships Cumbria

1981-93 Studio in Sheffield
Graphic artist: University of Leeds
Lecturer: University of Sheffield, Sheffield School of Art
Tutor: Leeds Municipal University, Dept of Visual Studies

1978-81  Studio in Kyoto, Japan
Illustration and design for the British Council
Lecturer: Seika University of the Arts  (International Design)

1976-78  Studio in London
Freelance illustration for various publishers (Chatto and Windus (Random House Group) etc)
Lecturer: London City University Adult Education

1975  Became disciple of Mushin, Master Painter of the Shijo School (Maruyama-ha), Kyoto
Graduate Student: Kyoto Municipal University of Fine Art
Publication The Teaching of Writing in Japan (ISBN 0 7049 0478 0)

1974  Graduate student: University of Fine Art, Sapporo

1972-76  Studio in Tokyo, Sapporo then Kyoto

1971-72  Travelled overland to Japan

1969-71  Associate: Sutherland-Hawes and Associates (Graphic Art and Design) Maiden Lane, Covent Garden, London (clients included the Post Office, the Royal Academy)

1969  Graduated University of Reading B.A.Hons, Fine Art (Typography and Graphic Communication)