Ann Babinard - Lino & Collage

The exhibition consists of collages and mixed media works based around photographs of textures such as bark, rocks, shadows and water surfaces (printed out A4 size) taken on my local bushwalks which became much more frequent in both lockdowns as they were a great way to socialise. 

The works I’m making involve using cutouts from old linocut rejects from a body of previous work, Terrain, that related to feelings of ambivalence, or even anxiety, about being in the bush. I’ve also experimented using collaged cutouts of other bush photographs, or rice paper, as well as drawing onto some of the textured images with water based, acrylic markers. The work reflects a more playful way of responding to the environment that, ironically, was fostered during lockdown. I’ll probably call this series of collages Transform as it relates to what I’m doing with the linocut rejects, the bush textures and also how I feel differently about being in the bush.

The original reduction linocuts – made with 5 or 6 colour printings using one lino block. A couple of the later works are included with the exhibition.

The collages are mounted on card that can be attached directly to the wall – all A4 size. The earlier works are framed – 33.5 x 43cm.

Ann’s work can also be seen on instagram @annbabinard

Reduction linocut

A linocut print is a handmade original print made by carving a lino block so that the area left behind can be printed. 

The reduction method involves cutting into the same block each time when printing multiple colours. Each colour is printed on top of the last, usually moving from light to dark colours. For an edition of prints I usually start with 20 sheets of Japanese Hosho paper and end up with approximately 12 – 15 finished prints. Misalignments and other printing errors result in discarded prints. The more colours used the greater the risk of errors. There is no going back!

Ann Babinard