Zoe Lloyd Artist’s Statement
The main theme of my practice is ‘process’ as I enjoy exploring materials and printing techniques. I became heavily influenced by the Rorschach test and how ink blots on a page, folded in half so the image is symmetrical, can look like different things depending on who is viewing them. To develop this idea I started printing using wood blocks straight onto my studio wall, painting over it in white so it blends with the wall and then sanding back into the print leaving just the raised fragments of colour visible. This reminded me of fossils and excavation and was quite subtle. I am continuing with this idea of viewing beyond the surface with reference to notions of excavation and the discovery of the ‘hidden’. Decorated rooms offer potential as the different layers behind the wall’s surface are like messages from previous owners. A current sub-theme is trying to get away from flat surfaces in order to explore different textures and objects that could be printed. |
Shannon Clarke Artist's Statement
My work explores the relationship between the theme of water and the emotions. It can challenge our mind, body and lives as evidenced in the work of Tyler Sheilds an American photographer and Bill Viola a contemporary video artist. Creating and capturing illusions and a false sense of reality informs much of my recent work. As temporal raw materials I am engaged in finding and recycling objects/materials such as newspaper, fabric and cardboard and I use these as a 'home made' canvas base. As the components come together they add to the sense of fragility. I have produced multiple black and white and full colour paintings inspired by my own underwater photography. Moving between experimental sculpture works and installation I have tried to represent water in its many forms. Since my childhood I have always been associated with water, surrounding myself in environments such as water parks and the crisp, clear blue beaches in Cyprus. These memories inform the work and my interest in Art and Geography is strengthening within the work. |
Jenna Naylor Artist’s Statement
"My work has always used nature as a major source of inspiration, and in the past I looked at nature more for its “surface value” and its beauty. More recently my work has taken a more theoretical perspective, looking more towards natural history and Darwin’s theory of evolution. This has helped to explore how nature may be seen to operate and this has been applied to my particular interests in fungi and their relationship to their larger environment. Looking further at the work of botanists, scientists and natural historians (past and present) I have started to relate this documentation and recording techniques to my working methods I use a variety of media to achieve these goals and combine then in an experimental way ranging across sculpture, painting, drawing, photography and observational studies. Very recently I have been conducting my own ‘Research Walks’ as part of my practice and this has enabled me to collect specimens from nature and study the location. The inspiration for this recent development came from a residency in October at the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery where Richard Long’s exhibition proved most stimulating. |
Nick Bryan Artist’s Statement
My studio practice is based act of consumerism and how it affects us as a society. Building on a project last year, where I looked at the homeless as a specific group within society, I have widened the radius to look at other aspects of society. More specifically, I have recently conducted a small focus survey of fellow students and what they ‘consume’ throughout the academic year. One aspect of this collection has been acquiring purchase receipts and attempting to categorize these Fine Art students into consumer groups. This evidence material forms an organised display in my studio space. The reason for doing this is to highlight the importance of a process which mirrors manufacturer’s interest in categorization. The method of displaying receipts gives an elevated status to material that is normally throw away or else kept hidden in wallets and purses. |