SARAH HOPKINS

I'm a printmaker living in South Wales, and an elected Member of the Royal Cambrian Academy of Art.

Man-made landscapes, and agricultural, industrial and urban environments are recurring themes in my work. I have always been fascinated by our nation's heritage, and the architectural shapes and patterns of the landscape which tell us so much about the history and culture of a place. My recent work focuses increasingly on that heritage: the significance of treasured objects, heirlooms, and the stories held within them.

Through printmaking, I challenge myself to explore new ways to present my observations. I mostly create intricate, hand-cut paper stencils, and screen print layers of colour to build images. Much like a painting, I work from the background, adding depth and detail. I like to break the rules of traditional printmaking and experiment by layering light pigments over dark, enjoying the translucency and opacity of the medium.

Although I have exhibited as a solo artist for 40 years, collaboration has enriched my experience and broadened my expertise. Inviting other voices into my creative process provides a vital platform for dialogue and fuels rejuvenation. By embracing new perspectives, I continue to push the boundaries of my technique with a renewed sense of curiosity.

In 2018 I worked with musician and producer Martyn Ware and multi-media artist Tracey Moberly to create POWER, a multi-disciplinary installation and exhibition combining a 3D soundscape, projections and a collection of prints, in response to the history of manufacturing and the decline of the UK steel industry.

Supported by Wales Arts International and the Arts Council of Wales, I connected with Pakistani printmaker Muhammad Atif Khan. Together we created DIPTYCH, a collection of 16 limited-edition prints in which we each made images, exchanged work, and created a visual response on the same paper, resulting in a unique combination of visual vocabularies drawn from our own cultures and heritage. The collection continues to tour venues in both the UK and Pakistan.

Over the years, I have worked with many organisations and businesses to create bespoke artwork for interior spaces, including John Lewis in Cardiff and the Cabinet Office at Westminster. I have also worked extensively across Primary, Secondary, Further and Higher Education, and hold a long-standing commitment to sharing my expertise with community groups.

As a Director at Swansea Print Workshop, I am working to secure the future of MiniPrint Cymru | Wales, a country-wide initiative to raise the profile of printmaking as an accessible art form.

To learn more about my process, read this post or attend one of my upcoming workshops.