Karen Howse: Doing a residency in isolation

Karen Howse is an artist explorer based in North Cornwall, and uses drawing and printmaking as tools for discovery. Her practice is often project and place based and drawing the ‘local wild’ provides her with a way of navigating our collective entanglement with nature.

"Drawing allows me to slow me down, so I can notice more, and find empathy with nature on my doorstep. I was supposed to be artist in residence at the National Trust site of Dunsland in North Devon, an atmospheric, magical parkland with ancient 700 year old sweet chestnut trees that would have lived through the plague.

Early on in lockdown I found myself drawing from the natural objects I'd collected from the place. These drawings became some sort of portal of travel to the place, which then allowed my memory and imagination to play a part in the art. I make trace monotypes which I create through inking up a plate with rollers, place thin paper onto the plate, then draw; the image appears on the other side, picking up the ink, a once removed drawing process.

I found that this way of working (which is new for me), brought out the hidden and mythical aspects of the place, almost dream-like. I had always thought that to do a residency, I needed to visit the place often or stay there and fully immerse myself. This experience of lock down and distancing has taught me that sometimes having a distance and more time for reflection is good. The longing and memory of the place creates its own energy.

The idea of making work as a gift, and art as solace and talisman has also come to the fore at this time, and I created a character called Lockdown Lilly, who has helped me to express my thoughts. The Lilly Lockdown angel is a drypoint etching which I send to friends. I also made a charity print called 'Blackbird of Hope' from watching the blackbirds in my garden, and I donate the profits from sales of these to the NHS. My focus on the everyday and nature on my doorstep hasn’t changed and this time has strengthened my resolve to weave nature more closely onto what I do. I am seeing the value of art and a connection to everyday nature for wellbeing more than ever."

You can see more of Karen's work on her website.

CuratorSpace are currently featuring articles by artists, curators and organisations who want to share their experiences of responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, whether that is artists using their practice as a way of exploring new boundaries of isolation, or as a way to connect more broadly with their communities. We are also interested in hearing from curators and organisations who are offering support to artists and audiences during this time.

Contact us at louise@curatorspace.com to share your story.
 

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