Gaia Shaw

Contact Details

Artist Statement

I learnt drawing and lino printing as a teenager from artist and friend, Edward Bawden, in the 1970s. I went on to be introduced to etching by his son Richard Bawden at Colchester School of Art. Having gained a BA Hons in Literature I trained in theatre design at Motley Theatre Design Course, under Margaret (Percy) Harris, and took my MA in Art and Theatre at Wimbledon School of Art.

I have used my art and theatre education first as a theatre designer and later in teaching. I have developed my printmaking in my free time.

I am exploring the use of sunlight as the essential tool of printing. Using 19th century photographic printing techniques, I collage photographs, drawings, words, numbers and sometimes plants. Instead of cutting the block, biting the plate and being dependent on my press, my current technique relies on transparency, masking, positive and negative image, and on my judgement of the day light according to time and season. Influenced by Byzantine icons and European traditions in painting, I enrich the deep sepia and brilliant blue tones with metal leaf.

Previous Exhibitions

• Big Blue Sky, Wells-next-the-Sea
• Garden Street Gallery, Cromer
• Silver and Salts, Cromer
• Richford Gallery, Wells Next the Sea
  'Midsummer Madness'
• Little Theatre, Sheringham
• Open Studios, Warehouse Studios, Norwich
• Open Studios Taster Exhibition St, Giles Church, Norwich
• Toys, 91 Upper St Giles, Norwich
  Shop window display
• Aspurger, Norfolk Art Auction