Artist's Statement
My recent work has been investigating and questioning the relationship of inside and outside space, encompassing the experience of a place that is both physically and visually engaging. It is important there is a romantic sensibility emerging through the layered landscapes. Also the interlocking of one structure into another.
This work could be categorised as topographical, i.e. the unique structures of Kew Gardens Glass Houses, the Eden project Biomes and other glass houses throughout the world. In the large scale woodcuts Where Nature and Culture Meet I and II there is a sense of nature trying to break out, or break through the roof of the glass house exploring the inner and outer boundaries of nature. The lily print (Amazonica X cruziana) is a hybrid a cross between two different varieties growing in a glass house with reliance on protective, climate controlled conditions in England, where it is native to South America in this location grows wild.
I have also explored the specific locations and immediate environments of The British Museum in London with its recent modernist extension with the old reading room situated at the heart of The Great Court giving it the circular shape with 3,312 unique glass panels. All these structures are hybrid's of their former selves.
My ideas are developed through drawing, photography and printmaking taking the viewer on a journey, physically moving through space experiencing still space realised in the medium of woodcut. The images begin to take on a monumentality.
Printmaking becomes a continuation from the process of drawing. Looking and describing using the images to explore the dynamics of translating from one medium into woodcut and other printmaking techniques. The initial aim is for the prints to have a sense of scale, drama and depict a heightened reality.
The process of making is important in the work and working with print enables me to explore the links between landscape and architecture.The processes and constant changes it goes through in a year. I feel this medium represents my working style and the enjoyment of the process from working drawings to carving a woodblock which is done over several weeks or months depending on the intricacy of the design, bringing an element of the encapsulation of time into the work. The prints are made using a victorian garden roller and hand burnishing. There is always an element of uncertainty when the final print is lifted.
Further Images
Where Nature & Culture Meet III
Royal Glasshouse, Laeken Belgium, woodcut edition of 12
Where Nature & Culture Meet III
Kew Gardens Glass House, Woodcut Print edition of 12
Where Nature & Culture Meet III
Kew Gardens Glass House, Woodcut Print Edition of 12
Amazonica X Cruziana
Underside of Giant Water Lily at Kew Gardens, Woodcut Print Edition of 12
Outside Inside
The Great Court British Museum, London Woodcut Print, edition of 12
Reflections I
The British Museum, Woodcut Print edition of 12
Temperate Biome
Eden Project, Cornwall Woodcut Print edition of 12
Iv'e Left My Sketchbook
Turbine Hall, Tate Modern, Woodcut Print edition of 12
Decaying Plant Matter
16 Panelled woodcut print based on plants and landscape
Louis XIV and Horse
The Louvre, Paris Woodcut Print edition of 12
The Royal Pavilion
Royal Pavilion, Brighton, Linocut