Two Women, One Boat, 80 Years.
In November 2024, I was awarded a grant for developing my creative practice from Arts Council England. I have wanted, for some time now to explore the relationship between two artists who have 'captained' Hyperion.
I was surprised when I bought the boat to learn that she had been run by women volunteers during WW2 and even more surprised when I learnt that the woman who ran her was also an artist. The grant has allowed me to visit her Nephew, Christopher, to see his collection of Vlasto's drawings, etchings, biography and trip record card, dated 1945.
Through this research I am investigating what the similarities are between our experiences, differences in culture, outlook and of course what IS it about the canal that inspires our artwork?
There are already some familiar fascinations and concerns coming to the fore that resonate, not only with artists on the canal, but many accounts written by women working on the water.
2025 marks the 90th Birthday of Hyperion and 80 years since Vlasto filled in her Trip Card traveling from Hawkesbury Junction- where I will be winding the pair next week, ready for a working trip to Foxton.
Exploration in Print
I have various courses in different types of printmaking to complete this year as part of this period of research. What started as a vague idea of where this research might lead, is now developing into a very secure grounding in printmaking...thank goodness!
Until my trip to Normandy, I wasnt aware of Vlasto's skill and interest in printmaking. Seeing her etchings, after delving into intaglio for the first time in over 20 years, was another moment of serendipity. I feel like I am on the right course despite not having a fixed destination in mind.
I had initially viewed printmaking as related to the canals in a process based way. The changes the print goes through- mirroring the changeable nature of the waterways. However, the more I read, the more its material connection is becoming clear, especially with intaglio printmaking. I had thought about using scrap pieces of the boats to make plates but I hadn't connected aluminium plates to the history of the transportation of aluminium on the canal. When I was at art school we used zinc, copper or steel plates but now aluminium is the more common and cheaper option. I doubt that Christian would have thought about printing with her cargoes of aluminium destined for the production of wartime aeroplanes.
©Copyright. All rights reserved.
We need your consent to load the translations
We use a third-party service to translate the website content that may collect data about your activity. Please review the details in the privacy policy and accept the service to view the translations.