Meet the artist and view a screen presentation and exhibition of her collection at the Gala Night from 7 to 9 on Tuesday 5th March.

Loraine Monk, is an academic and artist. Growing up as a working-class girl in Kingston, her politics, academic research and artist practice have all been influenced by her heritage.

Recently she has been expanding her practice to printing. As with the majority of her work, this exploration has a historical and academic basis. Taking inspiration from 20th Century German Expressionist Woodcuts, particularly Kathe Kollwitz and Max Beckmann, her new approach has an eclectic and rich basis.

Loraine has been exploring lino and wood engraving in print; she is interested in the ‘archaeology of digging deeper into power relations, and representations of this in art.’ This focus has created a visceral and poignant approach to her work; requiring the viewer to ‘dig’ at her pieces, literally uncovering through ghost-like and blurred images.

Entitled ‘Under the Surface’ this exhibition will showcase her work in painting and print over the last four years. Including her painting series, exploring Kingston’s working-class history, iconic historical women and her recent print series recording the Gilet Jaune Paris riots, in December 2018.

Loraine will be producing a new print, specifically for the CornerHOUSE exhibition related to the naturalist Richard Jeffries, who in the late nineteenth century recorded country walks in the woods and fields that have long been built over to create the suburbs of Tolworth and Surbiton.

Loraine’s exhibition runs from 3rd – 31st March – and she can be contacted on loraine.monk@btinternet.com