Artist statement
I make relief monoprints on handmade Japanese papers. Each each print is unique. I rarely make editions. I have a painterly approach to print - the colour is layered on the paper by means of lino or wood printing wet ink on wet. This gives the work its distinctly marked surface quality. The type and quality of the paper is an essential ingredient and greatly effects the end result.
I always start physically, by cutting into the lino block. A range of colours are overprinted one at a time to build up texture and merged colours. I hand burnish the reverse of the paper to lay down the colour. I also use a large 1850's Columbian relief press never removing the piece from the press until it is finished - I make the whole print in one go. Usually I cut and work into the the block between each new colour.
My work engages with ideas and experiences of memory. I am interested in an edge of abstraction where images evoke ideas and memories in an audience - so that my work begins to exist for people as they begin to find connections with the work - they begin to 'recognise' suggested passages within the prints. Through printmaking I can deliberately create a dsitance between the marks I make and the end results of the work - the process means that I never really know how the image will turn out until finally printed.
My work particularly comes from an outreach practice with Double Elephant Print Workshop. Over the past 3 years I have worked in a range of community settings - hospital, schools, a city park. In February 2013 I start two new projects in Devon. The first is working alongside dementia sufferers in hospital to make prints, drawings and paintings in a two way responsive process. The second is a heritage project exploring the history of a site in Crediton near Exeter through printmaking and writing. Find more information on my website blog.
Collections
Victoria & Albert Museum
Bank of England
Deutsche Morgan Grenfell
Exeter University
Somerset County Council
South Devon Healthcare Trust
Nottingham City Hospital
Starbucks
Direct Action Centre for Peace and Memory, Cape Town, South Africa
Current and forthcoming events
- February - June 2013: "Forget Everything", Double Elephant Print Workshop, Exeter (more info)
Qualifications and training
- 1995 BA Hons Fine Art degree, University of Plymouth, Exeter
Employment
- 2013 Director of Double Elephant Print Workshop, Double Elephant Print Workshop, Exeter
- 2012 Printmaking residency, Franklyn Hospital, Exeter
- 2011 Artist in Residence Growing Hearts & Minds Project. B Arts, Stoke on Trent, Stoke on Trent
- 2010 Artist in Residence Wonford House Hospital acute psychiatric inpatient Unit., Wonford House Hospital exeter, Exeter
- 2010 Associate Artist Plymouth Hospital Derriford., Plymouth Hospital NHS Trust, Plymouth
- 2005 Artistic Director, Crediton Arts Centre, Crediton, Devon
Projects
- 2013 Buller Square Phoenix Project, Crediton Arts Centre, Crediton, Devon
- 2013 "Forget Everything", Franklyn Hospital, Exeter
Personal website
