Sue Savege

by Sue Savege

I am an artist inspired by wild places and big adventures

Originally a Sculpture graduate, but smitten early on by the climbing bug I subsequently spent my career as a climber, mountaineer, guide and environmentalist. During this time, I was privileged to work in some of the most beautiful, remote and inspiring mountain ranges in the world. 

Now I am returned to the art world, I find ways to express that deep awe and wonder found in our wild and beautiful places, through paint, print and artists’ books. The landscapes of mountains, rock and ice provide an endless source of inspiration for my work.

My work

Journeying is a big part of my practice. In the past, I’ve had the privilege of spending many months at a time living on the ice, crossing ice caps, or camping at high altitude traversing remote mountain ranges. Many of my pieces describe not just a single moment but the experience of travelling through land, time and space.

I like to immerse myself in a place before I start a piece of work, I walk it, touch it, smell it, sit in it, get to know its tiniest details, and experience its grandeur. I am fascinated by the way that a mountainside can seem, both intimate and cosy, and yet at the same time vast, infinite and awesome.  In my work I like to play with ideas of time, space, and scale, sometimes working on small handheld objects, designed to be touched and felt, and sometimes creating large luminous paintings.

Living in the Northeast of Scotland with the Cairngorm mountains on my doorstep, rock, ice, wind and weather, are part of my daily experiences. All my work starts with time spent out running, climbing or skiing in the mountains. I carry with me a small sketchbook and a selection of drawing materials and can often be found tucked behind a boulder attempting to capture the moment. Back in the studio, I work in a variety of media, trying best to find the most appropriate response to the landscapes and habitats experienced. 

Many of the landscapes and environments I have experienced on my travels are changing rapidly and, in my work, I hope to enable others to witness and understand the impacts of our lives and lifestyles on this, our one and only planet.

https://www.suesavege.co.uk

https://www.instagram.com/suesavege/

Volha Druhakova

by Volha Druhakova

While working as an architect following my Master of Architecture degree, I have completed a printmaking course at Gray’s School of Art and set up a creative studio Outpost Prints.

My work is inspired by remote places and the concept of escape, whether real or imaginary. This could involve journeying into the wilderness, contemplating a flower, or delving into the realm of abstraction. The initial idea always revolves around transcending the reality of the subject – not too much, but just enough to envision the possibility of something otherworldly. I strive to convey an expression that captures the interplay of light and shadow, evoking a sense of movement and following the form.

A lot of my work is focused on mountains, particularly the Highlands of Scotland. These sculptural and flowing landscapes of immense age, a frozen movement of the Earth itself, solid but also very fluid and changing with the seasons, weather, and particularly light, give me endless inspiration. My process involves walking far into that landscape, often on multiday trips, collecting images and sketches on location, and finalizing the work in the studio.

In printmaking, I gravitate towards bold lines, high contrast, and a stylized form of expression. I work mostly using relief techniques (linocut and woodcut), but I particularly enjoy the process of making monotype/mixed media pieces, seeking spontaneity and unexpected results. Regardless of the chosen medium and mode of expression, I aim to allow the image to evolve organically, often leading to outcomes that differ from my initial intentions.

http://outpostprints.co.uk