Courtney Wasson, "Woodcuts" Exhibition
November 4 - January 28
Artist Statement-
My work is inspired by collectibles and “artifacts”. As a young girl, I spent a lot of time with my parents going to antique malls and helping out at my mother’s shop. I saw how collectibles could define a person or how a person could make a statement with their collection. I became interested in these invested images and items people used to communicate their beliefs and worth.
To put it simply, I’m interested in symbolism and how we invest or imbue meaning into a symbol. The extensive use symbolism in our society is fascinating. I enjoy how a symbol can bring a depth of meaning. I also enjoy secret languages our symbols can create – such as the Victorian language of flowers. I look at these symbols and investigate how I would use them to communicate a simple idea, feeling, or adage.
I enjoy the process of printmaking. I like that it is not immediate. It takes physical effort and time investment. I find the process of printing is engaging. Carving a woodblock, the sound of ink as you roll your brayer, the anticipation of pulling the print through the press, and the physicality of the printed image pressed into the paper is rewarding.
My block prints are simple, black and white images created using a technique that doesn’t try to mask or hide the wood block – by leaving some chatter on the print, as well as wood grain.
