Lizzie Harnden

 

 

About my Piece

My work has been simply inspired from parchments I have seen in the Wittewronge collection, particularly the script. I like juxta-positioning sections of enlarged imagery with fine script and studying the fluidity and evidence of human interaction of the ink on parchment. I have enjoyed experimenting with various techniques: screen and relief printing, burning, waxing, the use of insertion stitches to join pieces and exploring stitching as a 3D art form. I hope the final pieces convey something of their fragility and beauty.

References to the documents used as inspiration are: DE/LW/M227, M221, M238, M180-18, MT98, Scrapbook Z21,T98

I have recently chosen to take a break from teaching art and have been enjoying the opportunity to rediscover my creative talents. We have an art studio at the bottom of our garden which provides a wonderful space to experiment and get messy – without having to tidy up!! I have also been given the opportunity to use a printing press at a local school. I hope to exhibit my work more in the future and am currently discussing business plans to start running art classes. I studied Fine Art, Printmaking (BA Hons) and all my jobs since have been related to art in some way: printing in Brazil, graphic art for a creative communication company and teaching art to young adults with learning difficulties and mainstream students. My neighbour and friend, Eva, informed me about this project (thinking it would give me a focus) and has been incredibly encouraging and supportive throughout. Previously, working in textiles had been purely functional for me; I have made clothes, patchworks and occasionally cards. This project has been so exciting to be a part of ~ the primary resources, the scrolls, parchments etc. have provided a rich variety of visual stimuli as well as feeding my interest in history. The opportunity to meet regularly with the other artists and see their unique interpretations has been inspirational; as has learning new techniques and processes, book binding and opportunities to visit exhibitions. My own work in this exhibition includes a mix of textiles and printed imagery; exploring the wonderful celebration of hand-written script and the enjoyment of scale.