ROZ CRYER

Artist Statement - Adornment in Borderland

In this exhibition Roz Cryer delves into the history behind, the definitions of and the boundaries between Fine Art and the Decorative Arts.

Cryer has always been drawn to those elements synonymous with the Decorative Arts which seemed to lead seamlessly in the direction of textile design. After 5 years study and with a BA Hons and an MA in printed textiles, the discipline on its own never completely held her attention. There needed to be something more both in terms of the meaning behind the piece, a need for there to be an almost arcane, veiled expression of philosophy somewhere within and the desire for, perhaps as Aristotle put it 'the human affinity for imitation'. Not just imitation, but inspired by Turner, Rembrandt and all those famed for their representations of light and its impact on nature and all that is seen, she also aspired towards capturing some of that magic in her own work without leaving behind her original discipline.

Cryer has progressively added more and more textile elements to her canvas work with the aim of integrating both aesthetically and metaphorically what she paints and the surfaces on which she paints. As with previous work, the fabrics on which she paints allude to the observation that often times both paintings and concepts are rarely painted on blank canvases but are laid down on cultural fabrics that alter or impact our perceptions.

Each piece of work develops organically in its first stage. This involves Cryer treating the canvas as she would treat her paperwork. She uses un-mounted primed canvas which she then paints on, sands down, cuts up, embroiders on and paints again. Only when it is able to stand in its own right as a sensuous intriguing piece of work will she then paint her still life objects onto the surface.

Cryer aims to blur the line between Fine Art and the Decorative Arts, fully embracing both and reveling in the question 'What is Art?'

Roz Cryer