Dr Simon Woolham studied Fine Art at Manchester Metropolitan University followed by an MA at Chelsea College of Art in London (2000).
Simon’s practice as an artist, curator and academic is centred around expanded drawing research and methodology and this was the focus of his practice-led PhD, undertaken from 2012 and awarded in 2016 by Manchester Metropolitan University. The PhD explored walking (in the broadest sense) and narrative in physical, virtual, and psychological space, expanding on the notion of an artists’ residency of the mind.
Between 2000 and 2012 Simon exhibited widely, including a residency and solo exhibition at The Lowry in Salford and Chapter Gallery in Cardiff, as well as numerous national and international group exhibitions. In 2008 he was included in the first Tatton Park Biennial and in 2006 he was Artist-in-Residence at Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead In 2001 he won the Mostyn Open 11 at Oriel Mostyn, Llandudno.
Simon was based at Wysing Art Centre between 2008 and 2012 and is currently based at Rogue Artists Studio. Since 2012 Simon has developed and initiated projects with Super Slow Way, Drawing Projects UK and Cultures of Place amongst others. Between 2012 and 2022 he was curator and artistic programmer of the artist-led gallery PAPER in Manchester. As The Frog they have performed at HOME, The White Hotel, Chetham’s Library, The Whitaker and other galleries, towns and cities across the UK. Simon is also currently co-writing/editing a book for Bloomsbury Publishing called Drawing as Placemaking: Environment, History and Identity (forthcoming 2025) which unites his deep interest in expanded drawing practice, alongside a current collaborative residency project at Gorton Monastery, funded by the University of Huddersfield.
