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About Sarah
Sarah Hamilton combines delicately cut or torn paper stencils and painted screens to create a variety of textural marks and images for her mirrors and prints. Her central themes are abstract rhythmic symbols, repeated motifs or fragments of nature. Outlines vary from transient and elusive to precise definitions, such as the edge of a leaf or its negative space. “I experiment with a range of wood grains and papers, each absorbs the ink differently and alters the colour dramatically. Sometimes a flat wash is contrasted to an opaque build up of colours, overprinted to intensify the tones. I enjoy the challenges of using low-tech equipment; the delicate stencils, the physical cutting or spontaneity of tearing the paper is integral to the overall feel and look of each piece. It is this tension between the practical and conceptual which excites me.”Sarah is inspired by Mexican papercuts and tinwork and also Scandinavian design, both furniture and painted ceramic patterns. In 2002 she set up Hamilton Wright Design Consultants with textile designer Georgina Wright, for design and colour development work. They share a design philosophy and delight in colour and production and recently collaborated on the 75th Anniversary ‘Sense’ Collection of embroidered leather with Elmo Leather, Sweden, premiered at Stockholm Furniture Fair. “Painters such as Georges Braque or Milton Avery, Folk Art viewed in North America, travels to Mexico, Egypt, Scandinavia; drawings and collections from nature and the sea, are just some of my passions and are reflected in all I make.”Images of a range of work can be seen on her website sarahhamiltonprints.A collection of Sarah’s wall plaques is on exhibition at The Bonhoga Gallery, Shetland from 21 November to 23 December 2008.