As the academic year comes to a close and the printmaking studio empties of frantic students I have found some time to begin experimenting with impurities and the rhizome.
I have been very kindly given a number of large, lightly etched zinc plates. My usual practice is to, grain, aquatint and etch zinc multiple times with a deep bite, so the light etch would not interfere with my work, but as I occasionally laminate plates with photopolymer it is best to start with a neat surface.
Whilst graining the plates by hand, using a medium carborundum, block and sandpaper I removed a substantial layer of the original etch. As hand graining with a block is a laborious process I broke the monotony by periodically inking and printing the plates. I thought that if nothing else I would be left with a series of prints showing the reduction of an etch and the appearance of a ghost like ‘nothingness’.
Air dried hand grained zinc plates, UCLAN Printmaking Department
I am delighted to announce that I have been awarded a PhD Development Fellowship from the University of Central Lancashire.
This Fellowship has been created to allow individuals a space in which to develop their PhD research question.
Since graduating from my Masters Degree in Site and Archive Intervention I have wanted to undertake a PhD. I have however been more focussed on developing myself professionally and travelling extensively.
During my Master’s Degree, I explored several themes. Kant’s Sublime, Camus’ Absurdity and audience relationship to immersive installation. This research culminated in a large-scale interactive installation.
After graduating from my Masters with a high Distinction I have been left with a love of research. Now I have the ambition to enhance my practice with the knowledge and methodologies that researchers possess.
For this reason, I am pleased to have been awarded the PhD Development Fellowship, from the University of Central Lancashire.
The Fellowship will allow me access to the University of Central Lancashire’s Fine Art, Printmaking and Digital Facilities. The access provided will enable me to develop a new body of experimental work, that will inform my PhD research question.
I am most pleased to be returning to Victoria building which is the home of Art, Design and Fashion for the campus. The building houses a fantastic Printmaking facility staffed by two internationally acclaimed artists Tracy Hill and Magda Stawarska-Beavan. Since being granted the Fellowship, I have already designated myself a workspace and schedule. Over the coming weeks, I will be constructing more complex embossed works and advancing my practical printmaking skills.
In addition to the printmaking facility Victoria building is home to the Metal and 3D Workshop. The facility houses laser cutting equipment, specifically set to etch and cut perspex, a diverse material that I love to work with. I have a number of ideas for installations, sculptures and interdisciplinary works that will benefit from access to these facilities. I look forward to my induction into this workshop.
As part of the Fellowship, I will have access to the Hanover Building where Fine Art is situated.
Working in association with the Fine Art Department is something that I am particularly enthusiastic about. I will receive mentoring from academic staff in how best to prepare my practice for the rigours of a PhD and how to deliver my work within this context.
By working within this environment alongside staff and students, I will hone my established skill set and diversify my professional capabilities.
To say that I am grateful for the opportunity is an understatement, as is, to say that I am excited. I look forward to presenting new work over the duration of this Fellowship.
