Rebecca Gleeson RMG | Under The Vampire's Shadow, 2022

Etching

12 x 12 cm

Edition of 12

Rebecca Gleeson’s work explores themes of isolation, memory and distance. These concerns have most recently been addressed through the use of polar imagery, but they have also been addressed through sea-scapes, image appropriation, and the use of archival presentation. They are currently making use of more ‘common’ imagery, as part of an investigation of what these cultural touchstones can evoke, or be pushed to convey. Sheet Ghost: The figure of the ‘ghost’ in the sheet is commonplace, but still evocative. This is a small mezzotint, so the shrouded figure emerges from the dark both visually, and materially through the burnishing back in the mezzotinting process. The figure of the ghost straddles the line between faintly unnerving and deserving of a comic sort of pity, with its lack of clear expression and bare feet fading away back into the dark of the print. Under the Vampire's Shadow: This emerged from trials of painting on acid-stop directly onto plates. Named after a frame from the 1921 Nosferatu, the vampire - or its shadow - looms over, not settling on if its literal or a metaphor for a sort of global miasma. This piece was inspired both by the centenary anniversary of the film, as well as some parallels between global-political events then and now. Untitled (Sunset): Originally a simple piece to test out jigsaw-lino printing techniques. Gleeson primarily works with intaglio printmaking methods, with a particular interest in mezzotinting, and detailed aquatints. Gleeson graduated from Dublin’s National College of Art & Design, in 2021, with a BA in Fine Art Printmaking and Critical Cultures. She is now a member of the Black Church Print Studio in Dublin. She has had work exhibited in Ireland. Highlights include, ‘Emerging Practice’ 2022, in The Library Project (Dublin), as well as In Spire Gallery.