Josh Bashford – new woodcuts – 8 March-2 April, 2016
Josh Bashford presents seven pieces in this exhibition of new woodcuts. Several are large scale works printed on canvas. With an individual carving style Josh chisels through darkness with flowing marks. At first glance the images appear complex abstract patterns, but as one looks longer, one sees the images teem with life and symbology.
‘My work explores mark making and its ability to portray themes such as faith, family and landscape. I work from a variety of sources including family photographs, internet images and pictures found in art books and magazines. These images are then taken and manipulated resulting in abstracted imagery which emerges and disappears into the canvas creating a pushing and pulling of symbols, figures and faces.’
‘I have continued to work in a rather meditative way. They are heavily inspired by the landscape that I pass through on the drive to and from Little River and Christchurch. As I round the many bends in the road I am often in awe of the changes of light and movement especially around the waters of lakes Forsyth and Ellesmere. I have grown up by these lakes, fishing in the local river and I have spent hours waiting, watching, miles away in thought.’