By Isabel Rock
Located in Norfolk, GB
Isabel Rock is a creator of contemporary fairy tales. A graduate of the Royal College of Art in London, her work is an explosion of strange occurrences while a surreal narrative takes the audience on a journey into the imagination.
In October 2023 Isabel won the Evelyn Williams Drawing Award at the Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize. Known as the UK’s most prestigious annual open exhibition for drawing; part of the prize is a solo show at Hastings Contemporary, scheduled for 2024.
Whilst Isabel always has a tale to tell for each of her images, you may or may not choose to go on the journey with her or you may indeed have a different story, one of your own that jumps off the page at you, that that you decide to follow.
Artwork Details:
Isabel Rock , 'Staring at the Sun' 99.7 x 70.2cm, collaged woodblock print and acrylic ink on 410gsm Somerset Satin paper, 2011
In Isabels own words;
'Staring at the Sun'
The man stood on the mountain and stared at the golden sun. The sun stared back at him, its heat blazed and burnt his eyes, the birds sang a maddening tune like they were pecking at his eardrums.
The man pointed his finger and shouted, ' you lied to me' at the sun.
The sun laughed and said 'you wanted to believe me. I told you what you had already decided in your head to be the most convenient thing for you.'
The man raged and hopped in what looked to the birds like a beautiful dance.
'Trickery, skulduggery!' he shouted. 'villain, thief, abomination!'
The sun blinked and smiled calmly. It had seen a lot from humans, there was nothing that could surprise it now.
*Please note we are happy to ship this work rolled in an art tube. Whilst the work is on heavy duty art paper and mixed media, the artist is happy that the painting will be fine rolled in a tube. This is a more cost effective and environmentally sound method of shipping.
Artwork Provenance: from the Artist Studio
photo credits, Isabel working, black and white shots, James Brown
About Isabel Rock and her work:
Taking inspiration from Japanese woodblock prints and Indian miniature painting Rock has developed a unique collage technique that combines bold structures with large-scale woodblock prints and intricate detailing. The subject is a grand mixture of humour, drama, hidden morals, fanciful characters, modern culture, mythical beings and fantastical situations.
Rock creates a world that pulls you in and demands your attention. Quality of line is paramount, the drawings are created using a dipping pen and acrylic ink. An essential tool is a squirrel’s hair brush that gives incredible fine lines and was purchased on her travels in India.
Born in Hammersmith, London in 1981, Rock knew her destiny was to be an artist. Studying Fine Art Printmaking at The University of Brighton and graduating with First Class Honours in 2004 she went on to do a Masters Degree at The Royal College of Art in London, continuing her studies in printmaking and drawing, graduating in 2008.
Her first solo show at Bearspace Gallery in Deptford, London in April 2009 sold out and was the beginning of a career that continues to rise. Rock participated in the first ever India Art Fair represented by Art 1821...
Category
2010s Contemporary Pen Paintings
MaterialsPaint, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Archival Paper, Pen, Woodcut
