I'm an artist focused on drawing and printmaking.
At the beginning of the first year of my degree I discovered how much I enjoyed printmaking. Up until that point I had always enjoyed taking photos, mainly of family and friends, but I was never sure where to progress with them. Drawing in biro or oil pastel had been one way of capturing the mood of the images I was working from, but now printmaking has opened up many more options for me. The photos and drawings now act as a transitional process in playing with the image, and indeed the memory associated with it, to get to the print. I have experimented with silk-screen printing, etching, monoprint and linocut, each with their own different properties resulting in a different feel to each piece. I think for me, the 'unveiling' of the print is the most exciting part. Because as much as I plan each piece, with printmaking you can never be sure how it will turn out. It's the element of surprise that's really caught my imagination.
University Life
For my final year of university, I wanted my work to reflect the memories I've gained and the skills I've acquired over my 3 years at Plymouth. I began by taking photos I thought represented university life on a disposable camera, as I liked the grainy quality and the fact you couldn't guarantee that the photos would come out as you expected them to. Sadly, very few of the photos came out well, so I used photos I had collected over my time at university and turned them into linocuts, experimenting with different coloured backgrounds to give them almost a fairytale-like feel. The backgrounds didn't really add anything special to the images, so I reverted to working in black and white. After looking at the work of Frans Masereel I decided to make a type of (almost) wordless graphic novel, focused on the day in the life of a student. I wanted it to reflect how confused I felt about my future after university, while celebrating the skills and friends I have made.
For my final year of university, I wanted my work to reflect the memories I've gained and the skills I've acquired over my 3 years at Plymouth. I began by taking photos I thought represented university life on a disposable camera, as I liked the grainy quality and the fact you couldn't guarantee that the photos would come out as you expected them to. Sadly, very few of the photos came out well, so I used photos I had collected over my time at university and turned them into linocuts, experimenting with different coloured backgrounds to give them almost a fairytale-like feel. The backgrounds didn't really add anything special to the images, so I reverted to working in black and white. After looking at the work of Frans Masereel I decided to make a type of (almost) wordless graphic novel, focused on the day in the life of a student. I wanted it to reflect how confused I felt about my future after university, while celebrating the skills and friends I have made.
Jungle Book
I was approached by the Bunes family to paint a picture from the Disney film, "The Jungle Book" onto their son's bedroom wall. I began by painting a basic background onto the wall, then gridded the wall and the original image. I then drew the image onto the wall by hand, using the grid as a guide, before painting it, and finally adding detail with black paint.
I was approached by the Bunes family to paint a picture from the Disney film, "The Jungle Book" onto their son's bedroom wall. I began by painting a basic background onto the wall, then gridded the wall and the original image. I then drew the image onto the wall by hand, using the grid as a guide, before painting it, and finally adding detail with black paint.
Sentimental Objects
While working on my "Day of the Dead" piece, I began reading "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald and it was both of these things which inspired my next few pieces of work. Both the day of the dead and the Great Gatsby centred on how we deal with people we miss. This inspired me to throw a party, and I invited all my friends to bring an object that reminded them of someone they miss. I then took each of them aside one at a time and filmed them as they told the story behind the object they brought. I screen-printed a couple of my friends with their objects to show the relationship they had with it. I wanted to continue this theme, but widen the range of people I asked. I then spent a day in Christ the King primary school in Reading and asked some of the children to bring in objects that reminded them of someone they missed, and again filmed them as they told the story behind the object. I can't include the images or video of the children for child protection reasons, but I have included images of the screen-prints I created from them.
While working on my "Day of the Dead" piece, I began reading "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald and it was both of these things which inspired my next few pieces of work. Both the day of the dead and the Great Gatsby centred on how we deal with people we miss. This inspired me to throw a party, and I invited all my friends to bring an object that reminded them of someone they miss. I then took each of them aside one at a time and filmed them as they told the story behind the object they brought. I screen-printed a couple of my friends with their objects to show the relationship they had with it. I wanted to continue this theme, but widen the range of people I asked. I then spent a day in Christ the King primary school in Reading and asked some of the children to bring in objects that reminded them of someone they missed, and again filmed them as they told the story behind the object. I can't include the images or video of the children for child protection reasons, but I have included images of the screen-prints I created from them.
Day of the Dead
This project was inspired by the Mexican Day of the Dead in which the citizens of Mexico remember their dead relatives and friends on the 1st and 2nd of November by setting up elaborate alters filled with food, drink and flowers. I tried to recreate this myself in memory of a friend who passed away several years ago and found it instilled a mixture of emotions, from happiness at the good memories, to a sad tranquillity when thinking of her passing. I experimented with screen-printing, primarily the effect that different colours have on an image, and the juxtaposition of life and death within an image.
This project was inspired by the Mexican Day of the Dead in which the citizens of Mexico remember their dead relatives and friends on the 1st and 2nd of November by setting up elaborate alters filled with food, drink and flowers. I tried to recreate this myself in memory of a friend who passed away several years ago and found it instilled a mixture of emotions, from happiness at the good memories, to a sad tranquillity when thinking of her passing. I experimented with screen-printing, primarily the effect that different colours have on an image, and the juxtaposition of life and death within an image.
Accidental Photography
Accidental photography began when I copied out an image I found in a magazine of a pair of legs in the air at a gig. I originally drew it because I believed the contrast in the black and white image would look good in biro, but it was noticed that the image itself looked like someone had taken it by accident. This sparked off an idea that so many photos are discarded because the composition isn't what was hoped for, i.e. the side of someone's face, or a pair of feet. I realised that these unplanned compositions were actually incredibly interesting, and went on to collect "bad" photos to use for biro drawings, silk-screen prints and etchings.
Accidental photography began when I copied out an image I found in a magazine of a pair of legs in the air at a gig. I originally drew it because I believed the contrast in the black and white image would look good in biro, but it was noticed that the image itself looked like someone had taken it by accident. This sparked off an idea that so many photos are discarded because the composition isn't what was hoped for, i.e. the side of someone's face, or a pair of feet. I realised that these unplanned compositions were actually incredibly interesting, and went on to collect "bad" photos to use for biro drawings, silk-screen prints and etchings.
Kathe Kollwitz
During a trip to Berlin, I visited the Kathe Kollwitz museum and was blown away by her work. Kollwitz was a German printmaker prevalent at the turn of the 20th century up until her death in 1945. The incredible detail she achieves in her prints and her relentless campaigning for human rights really inspired me. Although I hadn't heard of Kollwitz before the trip, she has quickly become one of my favourite artists and her work has encouraged me to experiment with other forms of printmaking, such as etching. Reading about her life led me to write an essay entitled "Comparing and Contrasting how Kathe Kollwitz, Frida Kahlo and Tracey Emin Document Their Personal Struggle through Their Work" as part of my second year critical studies module. I am currently researching her life further as part of my thesis, in which I argue that she and other printmakers use their process as a form of autobiography to document the social context in which they lived and the important events in their lives. I have found these books to be not only very informative, but also incredibly interesting in shedding light on Kollwitz as an artist, friend and mother:
• Bachert H, Comini A, Prelinger E (1992) Kathe Kollwitz New Haven : Yale University Press
• Kollwitz, H (1955) The Diary and Letters of Kaethe Kollwitz Evanston : Northwestern University Press
Other Influences
I'm very fickle when it comes to who influences me (except Kollwitz, can't seem to shake her), with everything from books to films, food and music having an effect on me somehow, as well as other fine artists. Sometimes a good movie, such as "Amelie", "The Royal Tenanbaums" or "Inception" will fill me with ideas, but nothing beats a good book. I'm a big fan of Margaret Atwood and George Orwell and am devouring my way through their books, but I'll occasionally dip into old classics like F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby", or a bit of James Joyce (although I've never been brave enough to attempt "Ulysses"). I'm addicted to the Good Food channel and am always experimenting in the kitchen, but the student staples of potatoes or pasta are always good too. My taste in music varies dramatically depending on my mood, but while I'm doing art I love listening to more acoustic/folk stuff like Mumford and Sons or Laura Marling as it's so chilled out and lovely!
Other fine artists that have influenced me, particularly over the course of the last 3 years include Tim Mara, a fantastic silk-screen printmaker who creates boldly coloured, surreal interior scenes, and Shaun Tan. Shaun Tan is predominantly a children's illustrator, but after my Mum bought me a couple of his books for Christmas last year, I have fallen in love with his bright, detailed style of working. Other people who influence me greatly are my friends, and you can find links to their websites in the "links" section.
During a trip to Berlin, I visited the Kathe Kollwitz museum and was blown away by her work. Kollwitz was a German printmaker prevalent at the turn of the 20th century up until her death in 1945. The incredible detail she achieves in her prints and her relentless campaigning for human rights really inspired me. Although I hadn't heard of Kollwitz before the trip, she has quickly become one of my favourite artists and her work has encouraged me to experiment with other forms of printmaking, such as etching. Reading about her life led me to write an essay entitled "Comparing and Contrasting how Kathe Kollwitz, Frida Kahlo and Tracey Emin Document Their Personal Struggle through Their Work" as part of my second year critical studies module. I am currently researching her life further as part of my thesis, in which I argue that she and other printmakers use their process as a form of autobiography to document the social context in which they lived and the important events in their lives. I have found these books to be not only very informative, but also incredibly interesting in shedding light on Kollwitz as an artist, friend and mother:
• Bachert H, Comini A, Prelinger E (1992) Kathe Kollwitz New Haven : Yale University Press
• Kollwitz, H (1955) The Diary and Letters of Kaethe Kollwitz Evanston : Northwestern University Press
Other Influences
I'm very fickle when it comes to who influences me (except Kollwitz, can't seem to shake her), with everything from books to films, food and music having an effect on me somehow, as well as other fine artists. Sometimes a good movie, such as "Amelie", "The Royal Tenanbaums" or "Inception" will fill me with ideas, but nothing beats a good book. I'm a big fan of Margaret Atwood and George Orwell and am devouring my way through their books, but I'll occasionally dip into old classics like F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby", or a bit of James Joyce (although I've never been brave enough to attempt "Ulysses"). I'm addicted to the Good Food channel and am always experimenting in the kitchen, but the student staples of potatoes or pasta are always good too. My taste in music varies dramatically depending on my mood, but while I'm doing art I love listening to more acoustic/folk stuff like Mumford and Sons or Laura Marling as it's so chilled out and lovely!
Other fine artists that have influenced me, particularly over the course of the last 3 years include Tim Mara, a fantastic silk-screen printmaker who creates boldly coloured, surreal interior scenes, and Shaun Tan. Shaun Tan is predominantly a children's illustrator, but after my Mum bought me a couple of his books for Christmas last year, I have fallen in love with his bright, detailed style of working. Other people who influence me greatly are my friends, and you can find links to their websites in the "links" section.
My Blog
http://siobhanclarke.wordpress.com/
My Twitter
http://twitter.com/scandalbus/
Friends
Dan Lockwood – Web Designer http://www.thelockwood.co.uk/
Sophie Deal –Fabulous Cartoonist http://sophiedeal.blogspot.com/
Kitiara Pascoe –Intrepid Traveller http://kitiarainwonderland.webs.com/
Sam Bennetts – Creative Wordsmith http://www.sambennetts.com/
Natasha Bailey – Fellow Artist http://natashabailey.tumblr.com/
http://siobhanclarke.wordpress.com/
My Twitter
http://twitter.com/scandalbus/
Friends
Dan Lockwood – Web Designer http://www.thelockwood.co.uk/
Sophie Deal –Fabulous Cartoonist http://sophiedeal.blogspot.com/
Kitiara Pascoe –Intrepid Traveller http://kitiarainwonderland.webs.com/
Sam Bennetts – Creative Wordsmith http://www.sambennetts.com/
Natasha Bailey – Fellow Artist http://natashabailey.tumblr.com/