The word “landscape” not only refers to the topography of an environment, but also to its existence within society, consciousness and experiences. As we move through our existence we traverse thousands of constantly shifting landscapes – geographical, linguistic and experiential - moulding them around us. Language and boundaries shape how we think, move and express ourselves. I like to think of this concept as our “landscape of experience”.
The energy of the ocean impresses itself against the shore, engraving out its own shape. Understanding this process requires a surrender to deep geological time; where millimetres are measured in millennia. Conjuring deep time as a lens through which to view our landscapes does hammer home a realisation of our insignificance. Waterfalls, rock pools, peninsulas, all created at a creeping pace by the repetitive coming-together of forces.
Using this as a starting point, I created a series of prints that reflect the mapping of places where the ocean has carved itself out of the coast. My approach was to use sugarlift, monoprint, carborundum and aquatint intaglio etching processes. The sugarlift nods to cartographers charts and the human element of marking or mapping landscapes, while the more painterly heavily applied carborundum areas strike through the work as if filled with tidal energy.
If you would like to purchase a piece head over to my shop, or get in touch if you would like to commission something similar for yourself.
