Having moved from London to her new spacious studio at Saltings Business Park in Rye Harbour, printmaker Tessa Holmes opened her studio, Etch Studio23, as part of the recent Coastal Currents arts festival. Here she talks about her work, her studio and what inspires her.
What is your background and training?
Having worked for 15 years for the Football Association and working with under 5s, I decided to go to art college in my early 30s. I studied my BA at Sir John Cass in Whitechapel and then did a MFA in printmaking at the Slade School. going on to teach printmaking for 12 years at the London College of Communication (the University of the Arts London). I practiced at home in my small studio space in Forest Hill before moving to Rye Harbour last year. I have been a member of the Printmakers Council for over 35 years.
What printing techniques do you use and how would you describe your work?
My work has always been underpinned by a strong graphic sensibility. Places and spaces have always inspired me. My work often has a sense of narrative … initially my images where quite abstract, but over time the work has shifted – a meld of abstract and representative. I use a range of print techniques including, screen print, collograph, relief and monoprint.
Which is your favourite print technique and why?
Relief printing with paper stencils is how I have worked for a number of years now. I am fascinated to see how far an image can be developed by using simple hand cut stencils (I draw with a knife!), layering and the use transparent inks. I also use screen printing, collograph and monoprint. I don’t really keep sketch books but use my iPad for getting down ideas – these sometimes get developed into more elaborate digital drawings. And for a complete change of pace and thinking I also make small wire sculptures – which I have called ‘wiromals’ – unique creatures made from pencil thin wire and mounted onto wooden blocks.
How has your work changed and developed over time?
While studying my BA I travelled to Australia – it was that visit that really fired me up in terms of my creative expression. I fell in love with the desert landscape and the colours of Australia – and that kind of sealed how my artwork developed from thereon in. At the Slade I was awarded a travel scholarship and spent six weeks on a road trip around the desert spaces of America (Arizona, Nebraska, California) – this trip had a similar impact on my work. Something about wide open spaces, silence and colour.
In 2001 I started to visit Italy on a regular basis – and over the following decade my work made a substantial shift. Inspired the topography and architecture of Rome and Venice, my images developed a much more structural quality which really fed into the graphic nature of my printmaking
I was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia in 2010 – which meant my art practice stopped for almost 5 years while I underwent a lot of treatment. Eventually I came out the other side, and to celebrate I brought myself a caravan at Rye Harbour – ostensibly for “respite and recovery” but had no idea how much this move would change both my work and my life.
Since having the caravan my work has been inspired by both the coastal and rural landscape of East Sussex. I grew up on the other side of Romney Marsh – so this area is very familiar to me – in a way, it is almost like coming home.
Why did you move permanently to Rye from London? What has the move been like for you? Has it influenced your work in any way?
I was spending more and more time in Rye Harbour (a real antidote to the chaos of London) and my work had become very influenced by the local landscape (both the coast and the ancient hinterland behind). My dream was to find a studio down here – preferably by the sea. I watched the new warehouses go up at Rastrum and made enquires… It took a couple of years but finally I secured one of the units. The space is enormous – it was a daunting prospect and when I first moved in, I felt pretty overwhelmed! But surprisingly, it hasn’t taken long to get used to it. Compared to my tiny cramped studio in London there is room for everything ; I can now breath, move and even dance around my printing press – the space is liberating!
I am slowly starting to work to a larger scale but it takes time to readjust to in a bigger format. I have started to experiment with drawing onto large rolls of paper on the floor – just to get used to moving my body in a different way and to think ‘big’. I am fascinated by the graphic shapes and forms of the local terrain and the intriguing topography: I am obsessed with the beautiful curved sweep of Rye Bay and the unique entrance to Rye Harbour. The wide sand at low tide, the big skies and constantly changing colour palette.
From my studio window I can see the River Rother – the moored boats that shift up and down with the tide, the pontoons, the oil works, the warehouses, the ships unloading their aggregate, cranes and lorries. It is the juxtaposition between this edgy industrial landscape and the natural coastal landscape that fascinates and excites me. Translating this onto paper is my challenge.
Would you like to see other artists at the wharf? Is there a possibility that others could join you?
It would be great to see other artists here at the wharf. It is such an inspiring environment and I know a lot of people would respond to it. At the moment I’m quite isolated there although I enjoy working on my own so it’s not too much of a problem! But the place is perfect for an artistic community to develop and flourish; I really hope there will be an opportunity for this to happen soon. It would be a very positive step for the town of Rye and for many local artists who live in the area.
What inspires you – both in general and other artists’ work?
My inspiration comes in many different ways: much of my work is a response to the places and spaces I inhabit or visit – but other things also have an effect my ideas: modern architecture with its lines and edges, graphic forms and shapes, colour, scenes from films which have big expanse of landscape…and my studio and the immediate industrial / riverside landscape has had a major influence on my most recent work. I love the work of Ravilious , John Piper, the Nash Brothers, Winifred Barnes Graham, Barbara Rae,…there’s a long list!
Upcoming exhibitions
I have a number of exhibitions coming up in the next few weeks:
I am exhibiting in a group show called Between Air and Earth at the Star Brewery Gallery in Lewes from October 25 to November 2.
I am also taking part in the Cranbrook Art Fair in Kent which runs from November 5 to 8.
I have had work selected for the International Open Print Exhibition held at the Bankside Gallery in London November 5 – 16.
Finally, I am taking part in the Rye Creative Centre Christmas market at the end of November.
Tessa’s studio is open for visits by appointment. People can send an email via the website, www.tessaholmes.com or a message via Instagram @etchstudio23
Tessa’s work is also exhibited and sold at Rye Art Gallery.
Image Credits: Juliet Duff , Tessa Holmes .