William Morris Gallery artist in residence 2017-2018
In 2017-2018, together with a local designer and textile artist, I was the William Morris Gallery artist in residence.
Our aim was to seek ways in which the designs and traditional processes synonymous with William Morris could find artistic form and relevance in the contemporary and culturally diverse setting of Walthamstow in 2019. As part of our research, we had access to the extensive WMG archive, and in particular the William Morris woodblocks.
I was drawn to Morris' love of architecture as well as his ideas on pattern design and making, themes which I then explored in my own work. I also looked to the architecture of surrounding buildings in Walthamstow to create my own pattern designs and motifs which I then carved in wood for block printing.
Exploring Morris’ love of architecture and how buildings and community intertwine to form a shared history, I chose to visit the Sri Karpaga Vinayagar Kovl Temple next door to the gallery. The overall layout and design of the temple serves to highlight the reverence of the ancient Hindu symbols, practices and beliefs, but also to heighten the visitor’s experience and response, in effect to act as a link between a person and their gods.
I was able to see, through Morris’ eyes, the parallel importance of beauty and purpose, together with the inspiration that comes from looking to various cultures and beliefs for ideas.
Further challenged by Morris to “not be afraid of large patterns, if properly designed they are more restful to the eye than small ones”, my prints (which are printed using hand carved wooden blocks) are an attempt to find new expression in some of the motifs and images I discovered on my visit to the temple.
We also ran a series of block carving and printing workshops for the gallery as part of London Craft Week.
The residency culminated in an exhibition of our work called Beauty And Incident at the gallery from February to June 2019.
In April 2019, I was invited by the gallery to demonstrate woodcarving for the WMG 'family day' block carving and printing workshop.
