My work explores the sensory and emotional interconnections and interdependence between animals, humans, insects  and plants, drawing on magical and folk practices.   I combine a mixture of printmaking processes with the use of vegetable and plant dyes, and ‘fumage’ or smoke drawing.

Recent work references the term ‘Sensitive Chaos’ which was first coined by the German Romantic Writer Novalis who called water ‘ Das Sensible Chaos’ and  Theodor Schwenk’s work of the same name, which explores flow patterns in air and water, and which are explored through the smoke flow patterns.

Smoke, Stains, burns, spills and holes intend to provoke responses around human damage and interaction with ‘nature’ and explore rituals of  ‘sympathetic magick’

My smoke drawing ‘Fumage ‘method is linked to both Surrealist ideas of accessing the unconscious and more widely, smoke has significance in rituals worldwide.

Installations have focussed on creating a relaxed and dreamy state in the viewer to engage with less conscious states of mind. 

Collaborations have included most recently working with artists Marian Saunders and Cat Jones as The Aether Collective , immersive sonic installation with live drawing (me) and a collaboration with writer Antoinette Moses on her book of poems called take Pandora for Example, exploring Greek Mythology.

I am involved in curation and community engagement work, both as an artist and in my role as Community Librarian for Norfolk Libraries. Curation of Print Exhibitions include Old Skin New Ceremonies, Once Bitten and On the Edge at Cromer Artspace.

I originally studied painting at Norwich School of Art and then later an MA in printmaking at Camberwell College of Art

I am a member of the London Organisation of Original Printmakers and The Norwich Print Fair.  Highlights include winning the Award for Outstanding Work at the Norfolk Contemporary Art Society 2022 Exhibition and showing at The Royal Academy Summer Exhibition ‘Climate’ 2022 .

Das Sensible Chaos by Theodor Schwenk