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Lee Shearman
Artist - Lecturer - PGCHE - FHEA I am a multi-disciplinary artist, illustrator and designer specialising in arts education, book arts, stop-frame animation, model making, and graphic design. I am a part-time lecturer on the BA Illustration course at the University of Portsmouth in the School of Art, Design and Performance. I deliver tutorials, seminars, lectures, and workshops across modules at L5, L6 and L7. The course is designed to offer students career paths within the creative industries including children’s book illustration, editorial, graphic design and animation. I co-manage Ministry of Books, the Illustration department’s unique archive/collection of over 200 artists' books, which is a valuable resource for students across all levels. My freelance practice began after my BA in Fine Art (University of Portsmouth, 2000). I ran an artists' bookshop and curated exhibitions. For the past 10 years, I have run my own small-press publishing platform, Micro Library Books, exhibiting at illustration fairs in the UK and internationally, and since 2001 I have co-run an arts education partnership, Borbonesa, founded with fellow artists. The arts education projects I work on often focus on wellbeing and community, such as Stories in Transit which aims to establish the right of displaced individuals to cultural expression. I've been a STEM Ambassador since 2018. I currently live in Winchester. For more information about any of the work featured here, or if you would like to commission an illustration, design or education project contact me via email here. |
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LECTURER (H.E.)
BA (Hons) Illustration at the University of Portsmouth, FHEA - PGCHE Since 2018 I have been a lecturer in Illustration at the University of Portsmouth (School of Art, Design & Performance) and teach across both L5, L6 and MA and along with Ros Simms curate the artist books collection 'Ministry of Books'. |
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BORBONESA
Art / Design / Publishing/ Education I am co-founder of the art group Borbonesa; a collective of artists and makers who design and create book works, produce stop frame animation, and deliver art-based workshops in both bookmaking and animation. Along with Matt Fleming, Ian Whitmore and David Yaghoobi, Borbonesa have successfully completed two Arts Council England funded projects Othello and Timequake. Projects and workshops featured in my portfolio that have been devised and delivered collaboratively as Borbonesa are marked with the Bobonesa logo. As a workshop leader my responsibilities include planning the workshop structure, preparation of equipment and materials and technical support during workshop delivery. "Lee and the Borbonesa team have consistently shown themselves to be dedicated, thoughtful and creative but also mindful of the needs of schools and their practical operating needs. Their experience from their professional practice alongside their work in schools means that they bring a unique and valuable set of skills and resources to each project they engage in.'' - Sharon Court, Education Projects Manager www.borbonesa.co.uk |
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MICRO LIBRARY BOOKS
Artists Books / Bookmaking Workshops In 2012 I founded Micro Library Books; a small-press publishing platform specialising in the design and production of limited edition pocket-sized illustrated books and packaging. Since producing the first bookwork experiment The Engineerium Micro Library Box Set I have since produced several other titles including The Diary of Mashie Black, the Micro Library Diary and Grid Books Set, each of which I have designed and illustrated in the Micro Library format, assembling each copy by hand. In addition to the printed works I have devised and delivered several workshops tutoring both children and adult learners in miniature bookmaking, paper sculpture and pop-up. www.microlibrarybooks.com |
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STORIES IN TRANSIT
Storytelling & Animation Workshops I am a key artist for Stories in Transit a project directed by Dame Marina Warner. Stories in Transit organises storytelling workshops in the UK and in Palermo, bringing young migrant students together with artists, writers and musicians. The project aspires to work with displaced individuals, whatever their status. Its work does not extend approval, tacitly or otherwise, to conditions that curtail the right to freedom of movement and work for refugees; no one should be made to pay for their survival with their dignity. The project’s hope of improving those circumstances should not be taken as an acceptance (“normalisation”) of the restrictions imposed on arrivants from any country. www.storiesintransit.org |
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THE CRAFTIMATION FACTORY
Animation & Wellbeing Projects The Craftimation Factory is a registered CIO established in 2012 by Janey Moffat Laloe. She believes that 'making is connecting' and that 'people feel better when they are making something, anything - even if they do not think they are very good at it'. The Craftimation Factory's inspired approach to promoting creativity in children and adult learners has seen it run council-funded textile and reminiscence workshops for people aged 50+, through to puppet making and stop motion animation workshops for young people. Since moving to St. Leonards I have been working with The Craftimation Factory during their animation workshops, tutoring participants in stop frame animation techniques, and offering technical support of animation equipment. www.thecraftimationfactory.org |
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INTO UNIVERSITY
Further Education Support Programme At each local centre IntoUniversity offers an innovative programme that supports young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to attain either a university place or another chosen aspiration. In February 2015 I ran a two hour animation workshop at both the Brixton and Brent branches of IntoUniversity as part of their Creative Industries programme. Their programme provides children and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds with the help that many children receive as a matter of course. There are three main strands: - Academic Support - FOCUS - Mentoring www.intouniversity.org |
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e-PERMANENT
Digital Online Art Platform (2007-2009) e-Permanent is an online platform for artists which supports the creation of new work for networked space. Artists are commissioned through an international open call for proposals and their works are presented online alongside new writing and features. Working alongside Gallery Director Laura Mousavi-Zadeh and gallery volunteers, I was instrumental in establishing the e-Permanent digital archive, co-managing the process of transferring Permanent Gallery's physical material into digitised content. I created a live editable document and, along with volunteers, cataloged gallery publications, press & publicity material, video and photographic documentation adding them to the archive. |
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PERMANENT GALLERY
Independent Art Gallery / Brighton (2003 -2007) Permanent Gallery was established in May 2003 by Laura Mousavi-Zadeh as a space for artistic experimentation, which provided practical and critical support in the producing, presenting and contextualising of artists’ work. Central to the exhibition programme was the process of dialogue between the gallery, each artist and their audience. The Permanent Gallery aimed to exhibit a rigorous, high quality programme of contemporary art that reflected the diverse landscape of artistic practices within a local, national and international context. I was a member of the gallery steering committee, and co-managed book arts related exhibitions at Permanent that sought to raise the profile and awareness of artist-book making. I jointly project-managed over fifteen exhibitions between 2006 - 2009, including ‘Planet Le Gun’, ‘Sitting Room’, and ‘Works for Turntables’. For complete list of these exhibitions > CLICK HERE |
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PERMANENT BOOKSHOP
Artists books, zines & periodicals (2003 - 2007) The Permanent Gallery Bookshop was a platform for ideas-based publications, located in Permanent Gallery - an environment where artists were encouraged to experiment within an atmosphere of social, cultural and critical engagement. The Permanent Bookshop retailed over 200 titles ranging from independent locally produced artist’s books to international large format magazines. I was co-manager of The Permanent Bookshop between 2003 / 2007, along with Matt Fleming. In addition to selling and promoting the artists' books, I actively promoted the bookshop and its collection at numerous Small Publisher Fairs, Gallery Openings, Book Launches, and represented the gallery and bookshop at Conferences, Presentations and Degree Shows. For a complete list of the book fairs and exhibitions > CLICK HERE |
testimonials
ANIMATION WORKSHOP DURING ROOT 1066 ARTIST RESIDENCY
''From our point of view this was an extremely high standard and successful animation workshop. Adults with autism are often uncomfortable and overwhelmed with anxiety about going to a new place and doing something different so it was really appreciated how well the whole workshop, displays and activities had been set up in a very accessible way. Our service users were able to feel comfortable and also inspired and produced some exceptional animated clips that they feel a great deal of pride about. The two groups were able to learn a number of entirely new skills and methods for animation and they gained confidence in doing so. We hope to be able to continue on from this great start and we are currently looking in to getting the same dragon software and setting up a similar animation rig that you have developed for this project. In this way we plan to develop a long term benefit from our visit. The value of this kind of quality accessible art experience that has been meticulously planned and rich in content cannot be overstated. It really does create change, opportunity and inspiration. We hope that that there may an opportunity in future to work with you again. Good luck with your future projects and keep up the good work.''
- Cath Tajima-Powell, Roebuck Enterprises Retail Coordinator, 2016
''From our point of view this was an extremely high standard and successful animation workshop. Adults with autism are often uncomfortable and overwhelmed with anxiety about going to a new place and doing something different so it was really appreciated how well the whole workshop, displays and activities had been set up in a very accessible way. Our service users were able to feel comfortable and also inspired and produced some exceptional animated clips that they feel a great deal of pride about. The two groups were able to learn a number of entirely new skills and methods for animation and they gained confidence in doing so. We hope to be able to continue on from this great start and we are currently looking in to getting the same dragon software and setting up a similar animation rig that you have developed for this project. In this way we plan to develop a long term benefit from our visit. The value of this kind of quality accessible art experience that has been meticulously planned and rich in content cannot be overstated. It really does create change, opportunity and inspiration. We hope that that there may an opportunity in future to work with you again. Good luck with your future projects and keep up the good work.''
- Cath Tajima-Powell, Roebuck Enterprises Retail Coordinator, 2016
ARTS FACILITATION
"We work with Lee as often as possible. He is extremely calm and patient in workshops and preparatory meetings, bringing reassurance to participants and co facilitators alike. Lee also has fantastic creative vision and can come up with new, exciting and innovative ideas readily. His highly original use of paper to create all sorts of moving and static art – from stop motion animation to pop up books – is delightful. Lee can be relied upon to do a marvelous job and I would not hesitate to recommend him to anyone."
- Janey Moffat, The Craftimation Factory, 2013
"We work with Lee as often as possible. He is extremely calm and patient in workshops and preparatory meetings, bringing reassurance to participants and co facilitators alike. Lee also has fantastic creative vision and can come up with new, exciting and innovative ideas readily. His highly original use of paper to create all sorts of moving and static art – from stop motion animation to pop up books – is delightful. Lee can be relied upon to do a marvelous job and I would not hesitate to recommend him to anyone."
- Janey Moffat, The Craftimation Factory, 2013
ANIMATION TUTORIAL FOR INTO UNIVERSITY DURING TECH WEEK
'Lee provided an engaging, stimulating and unique insight into the world of Animation. Using state of the art animation equipment and working in teams, our young people were able to harness their creativity in order to create really imaginative and clever animations. Lee's animation workshop was definitely the highlight of their week.''
- Louise Henry, IntoUniversity Brixton, 2014
'Lee provided an engaging, stimulating and unique insight into the world of Animation. Using state of the art animation equipment and working in teams, our young people were able to harness their creativity in order to create really imaginative and clever animations. Lee's animation workshop was definitely the highlight of their week.''
- Louise Henry, IntoUniversity Brixton, 2014
ANIMATION TUTORIAL FOR INTO UNIVERSITY DURING TECH WEEK
"Lee delivered an engaging animation workshop with students working in small groups to produce impressive animations using specialised cameras and art materials. I would absolutely recommend the workshop to others - it was a once in a lifetime opportunity for the young people who were excited to create their own animation from scratch. Our young people were enthused by the workshop and left with a completed animation to keep forever.”
- Eleanor Mortimer, IntoUniversity Brent, 2014
"Lee delivered an engaging animation workshop with students working in small groups to produce impressive animations using specialised cameras and art materials. I would absolutely recommend the workshop to others - it was a once in a lifetime opportunity for the young people who were excited to create their own animation from scratch. Our young people were enthused by the workshop and left with a completed animation to keep forever.”
- Eleanor Mortimer, IntoUniversity Brent, 2014
ARTIST RESIDENCY AT ADMIRAL LORD NELSON SCHOOL (CREATIVE PARTNERSHIPS)
''I met Lee as part of a Creative Partnerships programme, taking place at Admiral Lord Nelson secondary school in Portsmouth. Lee, as part of Borbonesa worked in the school over a three-year period, developing such a level of trust and confidence with the staff that the SLT were willing for the team to completely transform the main thoroughfare of the school with a semi-permanent installation. This installation was carefully planned in consultation with the SLT and featured a range of activities with students could engage with, including a stop-motion animation pod, Pop-Up cinema, badge making, printing and more. Lee also worked in classes with his colleagues and independently developing with the staff and students, creative approaches to teaching current topics in the curriculum. Lee and the Borbonesa team have consistently shown themselves to be dedicated, thoughtful and creative but also mindful of the needs of schools and their practical operating needs. Their experience from their professional practice alongside their work in schools means that they bring a unique and valuable set of skills and resources to each project they engage in.''
- Sharon Court, Education Projects Manager, 2012
''I met Lee as part of a Creative Partnerships programme, taking place at Admiral Lord Nelson secondary school in Portsmouth. Lee, as part of Borbonesa worked in the school over a three-year period, developing such a level of trust and confidence with the staff that the SLT were willing for the team to completely transform the main thoroughfare of the school with a semi-permanent installation. This installation was carefully planned in consultation with the SLT and featured a range of activities with students could engage with, including a stop-motion animation pod, Pop-Up cinema, badge making, printing and more. Lee also worked in classes with his colleagues and independently developing with the staff and students, creative approaches to teaching current topics in the curriculum. Lee and the Borbonesa team have consistently shown themselves to be dedicated, thoughtful and creative but also mindful of the needs of schools and their practical operating needs. Their experience from their professional practice alongside their work in schools means that they bring a unique and valuable set of skills and resources to each project they engage in.''
- Sharon Court, Education Projects Manager, 2012