My artworks explore the concept of 'nature' and its relationship with human beings.
I create contemporary still lifes, more accurately natureza morta (dead nature). These works pay homage to the transience of living beings and allude to the effects of human activity upon the natural world. Each piece is a personal and cultural memorial. They reflect my interests in cabinets of curiosities, anthrozoology, natural history and the cultures of the Far East and Portugal.
Actual three dimensional specimens of flora, fauna and occasionally man-made objects provide the basis for my printmaking. I use these objects to produce life-size gyotaku and nature prints. These particular techniques provide a means of working through my ideas. Sometimes I develop these prints further, translating them into other printmaking mediums or combing them with other printmaking processes.
I produce limited editions and unique pieces including artists books, printed collages and installations. Aromas are often an integral element of my installations. A waft of fragrance helps to evoke memories and create an emotional response which goes far beyond and deeper than the purely visual experience.
In 2005 I settled in Olhão, a small fishing town in southern Portugal. A place which informs my work and provides me with a wealth of subject matter. Previously, I lived in London for twenty-one years where I studied printmaking and worked in art colleges, universities and community arts projects. I also did voluntary work helping to acquire equipment and materials to establish safe printmaking practises for East London Printmakers. I gew up beside the sea in Suffolk, England but I was born in Kowloon, Hong Kong.
Education
2009 - 2014 PhD Art & Design, by research thesis.
Faculdade de Belas Artes, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
Thesis title, Gyotaku: Its Origins and Relationship with Art and Science.
1992 - 1994 MA Fine Art (Printmaking)
Royal College of Art, London, UK.
RCA Japan Scholarship, one semester at the Kyoto City University of the Arts, Kyoto, Japan.
1989 - 1992 BA (Hons.) 2:1 Fine Art (Printmaking)
Central St. Martins College of Art & Design, London, UK.
Erasmus Programme, one semester at the Hochschule der Kunst, Berlin, Germany.
Artist in Residence
May - June 2022 - ECRN, European Creative Rooftop Network. Antwerpen, Chemnitz & Faro partners
I was delighted to have my project 'Urban Nature' selected for the ECRN artist in residence. Co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union. I researched/experimented with cyanotypes, nature printing and anthotypes to create recycled cotton banners. I am based in Faro and stayed in Chemnitz, Germany for two weeks. My work was displayed on a rooftop as part of the 2022 Kosmos - Chemnitz Festival (17 June) and I had the pleasure of sharing nature printing with children at an art club in the Sonneberg district, Chemnitz and with visitors to the Kosomos festival where I displayed my textile banners. On my return to Portugal I gave a presentation about the banners and my working process at Gama Rama Gallery, Faro. Also, an introduction to nature printing workshop at the Acoteia num dia event on the 24 June held at the Fábrica de Cerveja in Faro. My banners and a collaborative one made by people in Chemnitz, Faro and myself was displayed from the top floor railings outside of the building.
January 2020 - (48 month project) ICHTHYS,
This project was put on hold due to Covid -19 and has recently started again.
I was invited to be the artists for ICHTHYS, a 48 month European funded project. It includes 14 partners from academic, commercial and industrial organisations including; Greece, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain. Funded by the Marie Sklodowska - Curie Research and Innovation Staff Exchange.
ICTHYS = OptImisation of novel value CHains for fish and seafood by developing an integraTed sustainable approacH for improved qualitY safety and waSte. www.ichthys-eu.org
31 October 2013 - May 31 2018 I was invited as the gyotaku artist for CACHE-ITN.
This science project studied how shells are produced and controlled in oysters, mussels, clams and scallops, in their natural environment. This research is critical to our understanding of how Europe's most important commercial shellfish will fare under climate change. As part of the residency I provided gyotaku printing workshops, designed logos, held exhibitions of my artworks and designed the cover for a scientific journal. www.sams.ac.uk/science/projects/cache
October 2016 - Leaping Salmon Gyotaku, Northumberland, UK.
I was invited as the gyotaku artist for the Leaping Salmon Project. The annual salmon migration along the North Tyne river formed the inspiration for this project developed in partnership with; Queen's Hall Arts, Northern Print, the Environment Agency and Northumberland National Parks as part of the 2016 International Print Biennale. Generously sponsored by Northumbrian Water. I provided participatory gyotaku workshops for people of all ages as part of the 2016 International Print Biennale organised by Northern Print. Also, I was able to research and develop my own work with salmon, freshwater pearl mussels and local botanical specimens as the basis for a new body of work which was exhibited at Queen's Hall Arts, Hexham, UK from the 7 October - 25 November, 2017.
August 2015 - Fundação Bienal de Cerveira, Vila Nova de Cerveira, Portugal.
I was awarded an artist in residence from the Fundação Bienal de Cerveira.
This enabled me to stay in the Casa do Artista Pintor Jaime Isidoro during the " XVIII Bienal International de Arte de Cerveira". I produced gyotaku prints in-situ a research for Minho, an artists book based on the the Minho river.
August 2014 - Seacourt Center for Contemporary Printmaking, Bangor, Northern Ireland.
I was selected as an artist in residence at the Seacourt Print Studio.
The focus of my work was seaweeds from the Irish sea. I used these to create limited edition collagraphs, screen prints, lithographs and cyanotypes. I learnt salt etching and waterless lithography. I was able to run a nature printing workshop and a gyotaku workshop. The six week residency was generously funded by North Down Borough Council, Northern Ireland, UK.
Short courses
2012 Scientific Illustration - Taught by Professor Pedro Salgado
Faculdade de Belas Artes, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
2010 The Nature Printing Society Annual Workshop
Direct gyotaku taught by Dr. Chris Dewees PhD, indirect gyotaku taught by Master Mineo Yamamoto.
Oregon Institute of Marine Biology, Coos Bay, Oregon, USA.
2009 Intensive Japanese Woodblock Printing- Taught by Professor Hiroshi Maruyama
Faculdade de Belas Artes, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
2008 Intensive Scientific illustration Course- Taught by Dr. Fernando Correia
Universidade do Algarve, Faro, Portugal.
Membership
In January 2022 the artist Marc Porrini invited me to become a member of the Gyotaku Art Europe.
Since 2006 I have been a member of the Nature Printing Society.
In 2010 I attended the NPS Annual Workshop at the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology, Coo's Bay, Oregon, USA.
I became a Lifetime Member in 2014. www.natureprintingsociety.org
2012, I was invited to be a founder member of Oficina Bartolomeu dos Santos, Print Studio, Tavira, Portugal.
1998 - 2018 I met Rory Brooke and became one of the founder members of his newly formed group
East London Printmakers. www.eastlondonprintmakers.co.uk
I create contemporary still lifes, more accurately natureza morta (dead nature). These works pay homage to the transience of living beings and allude to the effects of human activity upon the natural world. Each piece is a personal and cultural memorial. They reflect my interests in cabinets of curiosities, anthrozoology, natural history and the cultures of the Far East and Portugal.
Actual three dimensional specimens of flora, fauna and occasionally man-made objects provide the basis for my printmaking. I use these objects to produce life-size gyotaku and nature prints. These particular techniques provide a means of working through my ideas. Sometimes I develop these prints further, translating them into other printmaking mediums or combing them with other printmaking processes.
I produce limited editions and unique pieces including artists books, printed collages and installations. Aromas are often an integral element of my installations. A waft of fragrance helps to evoke memories and create an emotional response which goes far beyond and deeper than the purely visual experience.
In 2005 I settled in Olhão, a small fishing town in southern Portugal. A place which informs my work and provides me with a wealth of subject matter. Previously, I lived in London for twenty-one years where I studied printmaking and worked in art colleges, universities and community arts projects. I also did voluntary work helping to acquire equipment and materials to establish safe printmaking practises for East London Printmakers. I gew up beside the sea in Suffolk, England but I was born in Kowloon, Hong Kong.
Education
2009 - 2014 PhD Art & Design, by research thesis.
Faculdade de Belas Artes, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
Thesis title, Gyotaku: Its Origins and Relationship with Art and Science.
1992 - 1994 MA Fine Art (Printmaking)
Royal College of Art, London, UK.
RCA Japan Scholarship, one semester at the Kyoto City University of the Arts, Kyoto, Japan.
1989 - 1992 BA (Hons.) 2:1 Fine Art (Printmaking)
Central St. Martins College of Art & Design, London, UK.
Erasmus Programme, one semester at the Hochschule der Kunst, Berlin, Germany.
Artist in Residence
May - June 2022 - ECRN, European Creative Rooftop Network. Antwerpen, Chemnitz & Faro partners
I was delighted to have my project 'Urban Nature' selected for the ECRN artist in residence. Co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union. I researched/experimented with cyanotypes, nature printing and anthotypes to create recycled cotton banners. I am based in Faro and stayed in Chemnitz, Germany for two weeks. My work was displayed on a rooftop as part of the 2022 Kosmos - Chemnitz Festival (17 June) and I had the pleasure of sharing nature printing with children at an art club in the Sonneberg district, Chemnitz and with visitors to the Kosomos festival where I displayed my textile banners. On my return to Portugal I gave a presentation about the banners and my working process at Gama Rama Gallery, Faro. Also, an introduction to nature printing workshop at the Acoteia num dia event on the 24 June held at the Fábrica de Cerveja in Faro. My banners and a collaborative one made by people in Chemnitz, Faro and myself was displayed from the top floor railings outside of the building.
January 2020 - (48 month project) ICHTHYS,
This project was put on hold due to Covid -19 and has recently started again.
I was invited to be the artists for ICHTHYS, a 48 month European funded project. It includes 14 partners from academic, commercial and industrial organisations including; Greece, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain. Funded by the Marie Sklodowska - Curie Research and Innovation Staff Exchange.
ICTHYS = OptImisation of novel value CHains for fish and seafood by developing an integraTed sustainable approacH for improved qualitY safety and waSte. www.ichthys-eu.org
31 October 2013 - May 31 2018 I was invited as the gyotaku artist for CACHE-ITN.
This science project studied how shells are produced and controlled in oysters, mussels, clams and scallops, in their natural environment. This research is critical to our understanding of how Europe's most important commercial shellfish will fare under climate change. As part of the residency I provided gyotaku printing workshops, designed logos, held exhibitions of my artworks and designed the cover for a scientific journal. www.sams.ac.uk/science/projects/cache
October 2016 - Leaping Salmon Gyotaku, Northumberland, UK.
I was invited as the gyotaku artist for the Leaping Salmon Project. The annual salmon migration along the North Tyne river formed the inspiration for this project developed in partnership with; Queen's Hall Arts, Northern Print, the Environment Agency and Northumberland National Parks as part of the 2016 International Print Biennale. Generously sponsored by Northumbrian Water. I provided participatory gyotaku workshops for people of all ages as part of the 2016 International Print Biennale organised by Northern Print. Also, I was able to research and develop my own work with salmon, freshwater pearl mussels and local botanical specimens as the basis for a new body of work which was exhibited at Queen's Hall Arts, Hexham, UK from the 7 October - 25 November, 2017.
August 2015 - Fundação Bienal de Cerveira, Vila Nova de Cerveira, Portugal.
I was awarded an artist in residence from the Fundação Bienal de Cerveira.
This enabled me to stay in the Casa do Artista Pintor Jaime Isidoro during the " XVIII Bienal International de Arte de Cerveira". I produced gyotaku prints in-situ a research for Minho, an artists book based on the the Minho river.
August 2014 - Seacourt Center for Contemporary Printmaking, Bangor, Northern Ireland.
I was selected as an artist in residence at the Seacourt Print Studio.
The focus of my work was seaweeds from the Irish sea. I used these to create limited edition collagraphs, screen prints, lithographs and cyanotypes. I learnt salt etching and waterless lithography. I was able to run a nature printing workshop and a gyotaku workshop. The six week residency was generously funded by North Down Borough Council, Northern Ireland, UK.
Short courses
2012 Scientific Illustration - Taught by Professor Pedro Salgado
Faculdade de Belas Artes, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
2010 The Nature Printing Society Annual Workshop
Direct gyotaku taught by Dr. Chris Dewees PhD, indirect gyotaku taught by Master Mineo Yamamoto.
Oregon Institute of Marine Biology, Coos Bay, Oregon, USA.
2009 Intensive Japanese Woodblock Printing- Taught by Professor Hiroshi Maruyama
Faculdade de Belas Artes, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
2008 Intensive Scientific illustration Course- Taught by Dr. Fernando Correia
Universidade do Algarve, Faro, Portugal.
Membership
In January 2022 the artist Marc Porrini invited me to become a member of the Gyotaku Art Europe.
Since 2006 I have been a member of the Nature Printing Society.
In 2010 I attended the NPS Annual Workshop at the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology, Coo's Bay, Oregon, USA.
I became a Lifetime Member in 2014. www.natureprintingsociety.org
2012, I was invited to be a founder member of Oficina Bartolomeu dos Santos, Print Studio, Tavira, Portugal.
1998 - 2018 I met Rory Brooke and became one of the founder members of his newly formed group
East London Printmakers. www.eastlondonprintmakers.co.uk
Public Collections
Alexandria Library, Print Collection, Artists Books Collection, Cairo, Egypt.
Biblioteca Municipal do Barreiro, Graphics Collection, Lisbon, Portugal.
Cornell College, Print Collection, Mount Vernon, Iowa, USA.
Eastern Oregon University, Print Collection, Oregon, USA.
Grafisk Vaerksted, Print Collection, Naestved, Denmark.
Fundação Pedro Ruivo, Art Collection, Conservatório Regional do Algarve Maria Campina, Portugal.
Metropolitan University, Artists Books Collection, London, UK.
Penang State Museum and Art Gallery, Print Collection, Penang, Malaysia.
Port Authority of Santander, Miniature Print Collection, Faro Cabo Mayor Art Center, Cantabria, Spain.
Royal College of Art, Print Collection, London, UK.
Sakima Art Museum, Print Collection, Okinawa, Japan.
Seacourt Print Workshop, Print Collection, Bangor, Northern Ireland, UK.
Sir Kenneth Green Library, Artists Book Collection, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK.
Tate Britain, Library & Archive Collection, London, UK.
Ty Pawb, Art Gallery, Art Collection, Wrexham, Wales, UK.
Victoria and Albert Museum, Department of Prints & Drawing, London, UK.
Private Collections
Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Cuba, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Japan, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Ireland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, USA.
Alexandria Library, Print Collection, Artists Books Collection, Cairo, Egypt.
Biblioteca Municipal do Barreiro, Graphics Collection, Lisbon, Portugal.
Cornell College, Print Collection, Mount Vernon, Iowa, USA.
Eastern Oregon University, Print Collection, Oregon, USA.
Grafisk Vaerksted, Print Collection, Naestved, Denmark.
Fundação Pedro Ruivo, Art Collection, Conservatório Regional do Algarve Maria Campina, Portugal.
Metropolitan University, Artists Books Collection, London, UK.
Penang State Museum and Art Gallery, Print Collection, Penang, Malaysia.
Port Authority of Santander, Miniature Print Collection, Faro Cabo Mayor Art Center, Cantabria, Spain.
Royal College of Art, Print Collection, London, UK.
Sakima Art Museum, Print Collection, Okinawa, Japan.
Seacourt Print Workshop, Print Collection, Bangor, Northern Ireland, UK.
Sir Kenneth Green Library, Artists Book Collection, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK.
Tate Britain, Library & Archive Collection, London, UK.
Ty Pawb, Art Gallery, Art Collection, Wrexham, Wales, UK.
Victoria and Albert Museum, Department of Prints & Drawing, London, UK.
Private Collections
Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Cuba, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Japan, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Ireland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, USA.
I don't kill animals to make my art
Please note all aquatic and land based specimens for gyotaku and nature printing are acquired from; sustainable fishing supplies, donated from scientific research projects, or found in various habitats when already dead.
Botanical specimens are either grown by myself, family or friends, purchased at local markets, or on the rare occasion that they are collected from nature the environmental impact is always considered.
Please note all aquatic and land based specimens for gyotaku and nature printing are acquired from; sustainable fishing supplies, donated from scientific research projects, or found in various habitats when already dead.
Botanical specimens are either grown by myself, family or friends, purchased at local markets, or on the rare occasion that they are collected from nature the environmental impact is always considered.