Artwork description:

The Source lithograph is made from a drawing that I made at the start of the process of designing my permanent public sculpture and garden titled The Source for Wakefield (to be launched in early 2024 as the final work installed for the new Wakefield sculpture trail). This drawing is an exercise in fluidity and movement which uses a ‘horizon line’ as an anchor point to depart from above and below the surface. The Source is inspired by the springs and wells which up until 1837 was Wakefield’s main source of water. Taking visual cues from the movement of water the drawing consists of fluid and watery lines, shapes, colours, and movement inspired by the life source of water and the spiritual and energetic associations with where water breaks through the crust of the earth and becomes surface water.

"I am very pleased to collaborate on this special print edition with The Hepworth Wakefield for the School Prints project and share this drawing which has been an important part of my process in realising The Source sculpture and garden. This is an active drawing- an exercise in reaching from one side of the paper to the next in as many watery bursts as possible to free up my mark making and decide on the forms that are later refined and cut from steel for fabrication. I am happy that this active drawing will be part of such a pro- active project that sees contemporary art enter schools and hopefully inspires young people to continue their creativity and be inspired to see where it takes them. The idea behind the drawing is simple- draw a straight line and then depart from it and see which other route across the page you can find than just going straight from A to B. Art in schools and the act of nurturing creativity in young people can really support many journeys in life that don’t end up being straight forward and I hope that The Source can be a positive part of that." - Ro Robertson.

Materials used:

Lithograph on paper

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