Beginning to Explore Carving Through Woodcut

Wanting to explore the idea of carving and currently not having access to any stone to carve I began to explore the technique of woodcut printing. This method had the advantage of being both about carving and also being about the excavation of material forming a sculptural object of the plate itself. The transferal of this into a two dimensional print on paper is also interesting, not so much about the inked image itself. The sculptural object of the woodblock explores the balance between positive and negative matter and, when printed, explores this relationship visually. The print holds a sort of energy of the three-dimensional object.

Above: Printed woodcuts, experimenting with layering.

Above: Progress photograph of the woodblock.

The actual process of woodcut printmaking I found more interesting and relevant than the finished product of the prints. The carving action and visualizing negative space whilst removing material from the woodblock gave me a unique understanding and knowledge of the particular material I was working with, I got to know all the knots and grain patterns of the piece of wood.

Above: Selection of woodcut prints and drawings.