Metal and Paper

26th October – 6th November 2010

As architects and artists, Jon and Tanya Crothers have worked together on various projects and exhibitions during the last 20 years. They are interested in built and natural forms and draw upon travels as resource for much of their work.

This exhibition mainly focuses on a continuing and shared preoccupation with trees – both as objects in their own right and as part of the wider landscape. The broken outlines of leafy canopies combine with strong vertical supports and connecting root tentacles; while suggestions of a landscape beyond are sometimes seen through silhouettes, sticks and tree-like shapes. Both artists try to ‘suggest’ form and movement in their work – rather than accurately reproducing any particular tree.

The exhibition consists of a number of 2 and 3 dimensional metal ‘cut-outs’ by Jon and some large and smaller ‘unique state’ prints by Tanya.

Jon’s small works are hand-cut zinc – using a jeweller’s saw. They are sometimes combined with other materials such as river boulders or rusted tin. His large work: – “Flame Trees” is laser-cut steel which is hand-filed– allowing it to slot together at angles. The shadows cast by the ‘cut-outs’ create a sense of space and drama, as do the intersections of various shapes.

Tanya’s collagraph prints are hand-coloured and printed from cardboard plates that have been scratched, scored, cut-away and added to with textures. This media provides opportunities for exploring a variety of outcomes and carries the creative process well beyond the initial concept. Hand colouring can completely transform the work from its first state as it comes off the press. Or interventions can be minimal – allowing the original print to remain almost untouched.
The works in this exhibition are just some of the visual combinations suggested by trees and other related forms. The possibilities are endless.