Susan Rooke
Biography…
My work for the major part of this year has involved revisiting my old sketch books, looking back at early inspiration and ideas and trying to revive them. I have also recently visited an extensive textile archive exhibiting original design artwork dating from the early 1800s to the current day and this has rekindled my fascination for the design work of the 50s and early 60s, and particularly the textile designs of Lucienne Day. She used line drawings, geometric shapes, motifs and patterns that, looking back, are so typical of that time yet are still relevant and attractive today. She was a renowned colourist and inspired by the flora and fauna in nature and influenced by the sculptural works of Alexander Calder and the works of Joan Miro and Paul Klee.
This work is made of compositions of collaged or arranged cut out pieces of heavy watercolour paper that have been drawn or painted with a brush or pen using Chinese ink, coloured acrylic ink or watercolour paint. Most of the lines, shapes and patterns are inspired by nature, landscape and history and are used in a patchwork effect in the compositions. I think the work has a print like quality in the boldness of the black and white lines and marks and may evolve into printmaking in the future, but I am currently enjoying the spontaneity and fluidity of the ink and brush or pen.
Golden Eye