Within my work, I predominately use the process of screen printing to create my work. However, I class my art as mixed media as I also incorporate acrylic paint in this. 

 

Through the use of painting and screen prints, I create very physical pieces of art. The images that I use for the screen prints are very personal to my family and I; as they are photographs from my childhood. The basis of wanting to incorporate such intimacy in the works is the underlying issue surrounding my personal recollection – an unclear memory of the depictions in the photographs.

 

The process begins with scanning the photographs onto my MacBook, where I would then manipulate the images using Photoshop. This manipulation reworks the image, transitioning each from the past to the present – almost like I am allowing myself to relive the moment captured. By editing the image, either making it unrecognisable, layering the same image multiple times, changing transparency levels, changing the placement of each later to create a holographic effect – which creates a foggy and nostalgic aura, therefore placing emphasis on the unclear memory. The images are then screen printed onto MDF which I prepare prior to the printing stage. As the prints are created in black, I ensure the colour is drawn from the ground – from the geometric shapes which are an important aid in obscuring information from the prints.  

 

My work explores the details of no matter how significant the photograph can be, and that the snapshot may remain forever, the memory however does not. Through the incorporation of geometrical shapes, I use them as a form of obstruction as well as further manipulation. the placement of the coloured geometric shapes are my conscious decisions in the concealment of the images – meaning I am choosing what information I am with holding from the viewer. Whilst I have chosen images of which are unclear to me through no choice, I wanted to explore the effect of self-manipulation to the images. By printing over the shapes painted in acrylic, it is less of a forced obstruction, it is subtle and therefor allows the viewer to study the images. 

 

I aim to create within my works, an archive of prints which piece together photos from my childhood to the present day - almost so the memory and the physicality of the image would never deteriorate.