Roma Tearne

Roma Tearne (née Chrysostom; born 1954) is a Sri Lankan-born artist and writer living and working in England. Her debut novel, Mosquito, was shortlisted for the 2007 Costa Book Awards first Novel prize (formerly the Whitbread Prize).

Early life and education Tearne moved to South London in 1964 with her Sinhalese mother and Tamil father at the age of ten.

From 2000-2001, Tearne attended the Ruskin School of Drawing and Fine Art in Oxford, where she graduated with a Master of Arts degree.

Career She was Leverhulme Artist in Residence at the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford in 2002–2003,

Tearne directed and shot five short films, including, Letter from Urbino, which was screened at the National Gallery, London, in 2012 as part of the launch of her novel The Road to Urbino.

Writing Tearne's first novel, Mosquito, published by HarperCollins in 2007, was shortlisted for the Costa Prize Her second novel, Bone China, was published in spring 2008. Her third novel, Brixton Beach, was published in 2009. Her fourth novel, The Swimmer (May 2010) was long-listed for the Orange Prize, while a film based on the narrative was made by Tearne and shown at the Venice Biennale in 2011. Her fifth novel, The Road to Urbino (2012) was long-listed for the Asian Man Booker, while another film by Tearne, based on the novel, was shown at the National Gallery, London, in June of that year. Tearne's most recent novels, The Last Pier (2015) and The White City (2017), were published by Aardrark Bureau.

Publications

Novels

2017 The White City. Aardvark Bureau 2010 The Swimmer, HarperCollins , long-listed for Orange Prize 2011 French translation of Brixton Beach launched at St. Malo Festival (2011), shortlisted for a French readers' prize 2008 Bone China, HarperCollins shortlisted for Costa First Novel Award 2012 "The Essay: In Search of the Art of Enchantment", The Independent 2010 "Sri Lanka's Writers Must Remember and Speak Out", The Independent 2008 "October 8, 1950...", The Guardian 2007 "In search of the Unseen Venice", The Times 2007 (March) Chasing Venus, for Museum of the History of Science, Oxford 2004 Field Study – 2, (London College of Communication) in conjunction with Tate Modern 2004 "My Shadow Collection", Nel Corpo delle Città (Gangemaini, Rome), pp. 19–43 2003 "Happenings in a Museum" (Ashmole Books) 23 pp. 2002 "The House of Small Things" (Angel Row, Nottingham) 10 pp. 2002 "House of Small Things", Source (Winter), pp. 26–33

Films 2012 (June) Letter From Urbino (film) for The National Gallery, London 2011 (June) Venice Biennale Film, The Swimmer, at the Armenian Pavilion, in association with Oxford Brookes University 2019 Royal Academy of Arts, Summer Exhibition 2009 198 Gallery, one person show 2008 "Watermuseum", Nottingham Castle Museum, based on work during AHRC fellowship at Oxford Brookes University 2004 Installation at Modern Art, Oxford 2003 Light installations St Mary's University Church, Oxford 2002 Ruskin MA degree show: London: Cubit gallery 2002 Bracknell Manor House: "Traces". New work as part of prize-winning entry for "Open Shutter" 2002 "The House of Small Things": Southern Arts and London Arts Board touring exhibition: Angel Row, Nottingham; X-Change Gallery, Oxford; 198 Gallery, London, Bracknell Gallery, Berkshire. 2002 Fotonetsouth: Bracknell Gallery Photographic show: First Prize 2001 "Sounding the Heart", one-person show, Milton Keynes General Hospital, National Health Service Trust 1997 Bankside Gallery, London, Royal Watercolour Society 1997 Sphinx Gallery, St James's, London 1997 Royal Academy of Arts, London 1997 Cadogan Gallery, London 1992 Ikon Gallery, Birmingham, South Asian Arts Festival 1991 Bankside Gallery, London. Mixed show 1991 Royal Society of Painters and Etchers, London 1990 Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool/Oxford Gallery. Mixed show 1990 Royal Society of Painters and Etchers, London 1991 Royal Academy of Arts, London 1990 Royal Academy of Arts, London 1989 Royal Academy of Arts, London

Public events 2013 BBC Radio Open Book 2013 BBC Radio Woman's Hour 2012 BBC Radio 3 The Essay 2012 BBC Radio Front Row 2009 BBC Radio Woman's Hour 2008 (June) Art and Neuroscience. A series of talks at Oxford University