Anna Bisset BA(hons), MA Art in Architecture.
Mixed media artist, Anna Bisset, has been an art tutor in East London for 25 years plus, working in the community and as part of Redbridge Institute of Adult Education since 1997.
She studied Fine Art at Bath Academy of Art in Corsham, Wiltshire, concentrating on painting and drawing from life, whether it was still life, landscape or the human figure. Producing artwork for exhibition, for sale or commission became the basis for her work as an artist. A number of shows of her landscape paintings and prints in Aldeburgh on the Suffolk coast with Plenderleith Silversmiths formed the basic work pattern from which the rest of her practice has grown.
Before teaching, she worked in the family business, an engineering foundry, where she also had the opportunity to make artwork in metal, using the sand-casting process as well as welded steel. This became an exciting part of her work and it led to her taking her MA Art in Architecture at the University of East London, close to her Walthamstow home. She has several pieces of sculpture installed in public places, including “Figurehead for Docklands” in Poplar Dock, East London and “Propellors” on the Alban Way in Hatfield, Herts. The experience of working in the foundry instilled a sense of teamwork and a keen interest in working with people – this later fed her teaching, as well as providing a focus in creating a product which has purpose and meaning.
Since leaving her role at The Enfield Foundry in 1997, as well as teaching, taking her Adult Education Teacher’s Certificate in 1998, she has continued to take up opportunities to work in the public realm, collaborating with other artists and educators where possible: “Mitkadem”, 2002, a ceramic wall piece was one such work, “Peace Dove for Wanstead” made of willow in 2014 was another. Projects with students in Redbridge, Essex and in the community have often created unique activities for creativity and growth – in 2008 she took part in an educational project based on the regeneration of a Victorian pipe organ in Christ Church Wanstead, “Music into Art”; E17 Art Trail with Corsham Studio Artists in 2021 was another.
Anna is currently teaching drawing and painting at Bedford House Community Association, Wanstead House and Redbridge Institute of Adult Education, working in acrylics, oils, pastels and watercolours. Her practice is continually evolving as she works in the various communities she serves.
