The theme of all my work is the evidence of human presence , whatever the subject matter.

 

Drawing on the culmination of observation, perceptual thinking and memory my prints create visual narratives. Working with a variety of objects including vessels, containers and clothing: ancient and modern, natural in origin and hand made, utilitarian and decorative, that enter my studio. These are reminders of feelings, temperatures and colours. They all find their way into the work as I attempt to translate an experience into a fully realised artwork. I am drawn to objects and motifs that reflect the use of the human hand and usually in ways that continue now as much as they did 100 years ago or 1,000. There is a history and common thread running through these deceptively simple, everyday vessels and articles of clothing. The continuity of day to day human experience is something we can all relate to using household objects or wearing shoes. There is also a certain pathos not knowing the wearer/user and the subsequent emptiness of the subjects hints at the brevity of our time with these objects. There is also reference to the fragmentary form that history takes, we can never truly know the full story of what has come before us.

 

Forms and composition play an important part and the viewer is asked to contemplate the relationships between artist and subject matter and between the subjects themselves. , Occasionally working in editions, generally each print is unique, the product of single and multiple passes through the printing press. I compose and determine the palette as I go along, often incorporating additional plates with each pass. The result is an ever changing meditation on shape, colour, and pattern. What was once observed and considered has been transformed by improvisation and an exciting element of chance. 

 

I use mundane, recycled materials like cartons (Tetrapak), recycled floor protection (Recyclo), offcuts of plexi, aluminium and enviromount which I cut into drypoints, collagraphs and stencils. I work with non-toxic water/oil based inks and litho/relief ink easily and safely cleaned with cooking oil. The paper used for printing is recycled from many sources including offcuts from large print studios and my neighbourhood Whatsapp group!

 Some of the prints are given added texture  using the chine colle method.

I aim to have a printmaking practice that is as sustainable as possible using recycled materials and non-toxic inks.

to find out a bit more about my approach there’s a short video here