Sally Hirst

The City Series

Since moving to Norwich in 2005 I have been producing a series of prints based on the city. The prints explore the shapes, pattern and light of the urban environment. Each design consists of three 10 squares, the small-scale images invite the viewer to study the image closely. Patterns and shapes re-occur throughout the series, producing prints which are intrinsically linked but varied in resolution. Each design is limited to the production of an edition of 25 single plate prints, a variable edition of 16 multi-plate colour prints.

In the black and white prints, the most popular type of relief print, the design is paramount; the line, pattern and composition being the decisive expression of the image. The multi-plate prints provide the opportunity to play with and explore colour combinations, techniques and textures. As a consequence each colour print is unique whilst maintaining the original matrix.

The prints are made using an 18c Albion press; inks are layered onto Fabriano and Japanese paper by means of solarplate, lino and chine collé.

When four designs are completed the twelve blocks are arranged as a conclusive Composition. These are printed on Japanese paper as an edition of 5 and represent both the conclusion of a series and the diversity of the city.

City Squares

Whilst working on the City Series I have become increasingly interested in abstracting sections of each design. From the original eight designs I have been producing a second series of City Squares. These 15cm square prints combine relief printing with painted and collaged Japanese papers. My aim being to maintain the sense of architecture and vibrancy generic to all cities. There are currently six designs in the series, each design printed as a limited edition of of 20 variable prints.

Urban City paintings

With an increasing interest in abstraction and texture this series of paintings aim to convey the transience of the city, its atmosphere and mood. These paintings are created by painting layers onto board, creating textures with glazes and gesso before randomly screen printing sections on top. Building up layers from light to dark, wiping off, starting again and leaving traces of previous layers.