Ann Johnston-Schuster W.E.N. | The Shadow of the Turning, 2019

Woodblock

40.46 x 27.9 cm

Edition of 8

My most recent series has evolved from my strong desire to suspend my figures in scenes of solitude that capture their integrity and give them permanence. The intensity and physicality of my carved lines symbolize the intensity of the individuals portrayed. As in my previous series, the individuals represented do not reflect the physiognomy of victims but instead, express personal stoicism and defiance. Through a cadence of linear reiteration, my varied striation of gouge marks creates a still-video effect that suspends time. My relief prints exhibit Horror vacui to create a feeling of spatial ambiguity that shifts figure and background as if in a memory. To further enhance a more hyper-realistic colorized presentation of reality, I employ a restricted palette. Ultimately, to instill a sense of order, my artwork provides a haven that protects and insulates the subjects represented.