Reimagining Medieval Art: Linocut Workshop
When: Monday 06 July, 14.00-16.30
Where: University House: St George Room
Open to: IMC Delegates
Price: £30.00
How to Book: Advance Booking Required via IMC Registration
Directed by Marie Sophie Besson and Brooklyn Arnot
Woodcuts is a relief printing technique in which an artist carves an image into the surface of a block of wood, typically with gouges. The areas that are cut away carry no ink, allowing the characters or images remaining at the surface to produce the print. Originating in Asia, block printing was transmitted to Europe in the 13th century, becoming increasingly popular in the 14th and 15th centuries.
In this workshop, we embrace practice-as-research to bring together medieval imagery and modern techniques. One of the most striking features of medieval art is the imaginative and sometimes absurd imagery that crowds the corners of manuscripts. In this workshop, we encourage participants to play with such joyful creations, adapting them to the contemporary context and to their own academic interests. While linocuts are a more recent invention, they allow us to create effects reminiscent of woodcuts with more ease.
This workshop is accessible to complete beginners. We will start by giving a short theoretical introduction, followed by technical advice. Participants will then have hands-on time to apply these skills by drawing, carving, and printing a design of their own making. As inking can be messy, we recommend participants wear clothing that can be easily washed (or black clothing to conceal any stains). Participants taking part in the 'Reimagining Medieval Art' workshop on Tuesday will have the chance to further enhance this image with watercolours and gold leaf.
Marie Sophie Besson is a PhD candidate in Icelandic and Comparative Literature at the Háskóli Íslands and the Université de Strasbourg. Her work revolves around the role of rewriting in feminist forms of magical realism. Brooklyn Arnot is working towards a DPhil focussing on Christian themes in the fornaldarsögur at the University of Oxford. Her research interests include monstrosity, Christianity, illuminations, and women in Old Norse manuscripts and sagas. After graduating from art school, they both became active artists in various professional settings, who now use practice-as-research (linocuts, scrapping boards, digital drawings etc.) to strengthen their literary work and support their university teaching.
This workshop can only accommodate a limited number of participants. Early booking is recommended.
