title: Johan
technique: reduction woodcut, black and white
layers: 4
edition: 8
created: autumn/winter 2020
size: 20 X 29 cm
technique: reduction woodcut, black and white
layers: 4
edition: 8
created: autumn/winter 2020
size: 20 X 29 cm
In early April 2020 it was announced that the annual Scottish Portrait Awards (ASP) would be open for entries with new rules. I'd had a look at this award before,
but did not consider myself to be a portrait artist
of that sort of calibre.
but did not consider myself to be a portrait artist
of that sort of calibre.
The pandemic changed so much throughout the year, hence the change of rules for the artist's sitter:
because they opened up for portraits based on 'memory, film, models, photographs or other medium'
and 'that the work could be of someone from the past'
it meant that I could develop a print based on an old photography of my maternal grandfather Johan.
because they opened up for portraits based on 'memory, film, models, photographs or other medium'
and 'that the work could be of someone from the past'
it meant that I could develop a print based on an old photography of my maternal grandfather Johan.
I never met Johan, he died in 1976,
five years before I was born.
However, somehow I met Johan through this print.
I came as close to him as I possibly can. Although I didn't reinvent him, I reinvented a memory of Johan.
five years before I was born.
However, somehow I met Johan through this print.
I came as close to him as I possibly can. Although I didn't reinvent him, I reinvented a memory of Johan.
Through this image, I see him as a solid and honest man, who went out fishing to provide for his family,
and who unfortunately died too early, too young.
and who unfortunately died too early, too young.
While I did submit the print to the extended deadline
in the late summer, I did not get selected.
Unfortunately of course, but what I created ended up meaning so much more to me, it was always going to be much more than just a submission.
in the late summer, I did not get selected.
Unfortunately of course, but what I created ended up meaning so much more to me, it was always going to be much more than just a submission.
The print depicted to the right was given to my mother
for her 75th birthday.
for her 75th birthday.
