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:
Tom Yum Yum, 142x121.5cm, ink, mixed media and acrylic paint on paper, 2013
Artwork Provenance: from the Artist Studio
photo credits, Isabel working, black and white shots, James Brown
In Isabel's own words:
Tom Yum Yum
Of the King prawns, the normal prawns and the shrimps, all prawns were equal when they were in the soup. There was no monarchy in the hot volcanic bubbles of the boiling tasty soup. All the prawns had regrets, some more than others. Some regretted they had spent more time with their prawn spawn, others that they had been kinder to their friends, it all seemed rather trivial now, the petty jealousies, the rivalry, the endless striving to get ahead, trying to find the best mating partner. None of it really mattered as the soupy steam engulfed them. 'We had a good time,' shouted one valiant King prawn, 'I did my best,' came a high squeak of a shrimp. 'I tried to be content with what I had, that's all that matters but it is hard when constantly bombarded with images of others success,' said a thoughtful prawn.
*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. Shipping via this method is free.
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 Figurative Paintings
MaterialsPaint, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Archival Paper, Pen, Archival Pigment
