The Keeper of Secrets II

The Keeper of Secrets II is a body of work that explores issues pertaining to the psychological and emotional abuse that occurs within the ‘secure’ walls of the family home. A damaged doll’s body is used to examine the interplay of empty signifiers that have replaced reality with a series of games, patriarchal dominance and a perversion of basic reality. The doll acting as a metaphorical mirror reflects Henrik Ibsen’s theories as expressed in his play A Doll’s House.

My practice encompasses the area of intaglio print making with a focus on the technique of aquatinting. I experiment with other techniques including soft ground, deep biting, spit biting and sugar lift. Chine collé is another area of consideration. The process of drawing is particularly revelatory during the initial stages as it allows an exploration of ideas and thoughts that extend into my printmaking practice. With both drawing and printmaking there is a continual pull between looking, feeling, drawing and resolution. Printmaking is not a static process and printmaking is an ever evolving and changing process. Aquatinting in particular is a reflective and meditative process that allows me to move beyond mere artefact to a spiritual realm reflecting the metaphysical nuances of the human condition.