Mary Chamberlain

In my artwork,
I try to keep the air in it,
allowing space around marks
so they can breathe.

I am interested in the relationship between the marks made and the background surface and surrounding negative space.

Looking to imbue pieces with a sense of movement and held dynamism, my work often draws inspiration from the fragility and strength of nature as well as focussing on the figure as a motif.

Ways of movement

I am interested in the fracturing and separation of line and form as well as the composition of marks on paper and canvas to create a sense of movement in and for the viewer. Looking at the composition of pieces, I enjoy the still beauty of photographs of the work of Alexander Calder: though a static image, the line and form in a space equally denotes movement. Sometimes the swiftness or flow of the mark-making in my work will also be an emphasis.

More recently, this exploration of ways of depicting movement has taken me on a journey with the materials I use. Focussing on vellum and parchment, surfaces which are dynamic by nature, there is an extra resonance with my own interests.

Photo credit: Paul Lewis 2022

 

Mary Chamberlain studied at Wimbledon School of Art.

Recent shows include Placed at Dorchester Abbey (Oxon 2024).

Forthcoming include Material World at St John’s College (Oxford November 2024) and the Fry Art Gallery Annual Sale (Saffron Walden 2024).

 
 
The separation of line and colour…powerfully evokes the dissociation produced in an image by movement
— Speaking of his drawings and taken from ‘Rodin’ by Yvon Taillandier