I am a visual artist whose drawing and printing practice concentrates on the artists book format. Often working with abstract written language, symbols and patterns, I explore historical cultural identities, particularly those of the medieval world. My love of research coupled with a background in calligraphy and design, informs the way I approach a topic and travel enables me to use my own primary sources for both inspiration and direct application.
After completing an MA in illustration and Book Arts at Cambridge School of Art (Anglia Ruskin), I have continued my studies at City Lit and Morley College.
Topkapi Palace
When visiting the Topkapi Palace in Istanbul I was struck by the layers between the public and private spaces defined by the layout and echoed in the collection of artifacts housed there. Further research informed me of the hugely important role enclosure played in Ottoman royal and harem lives extending to the garments they wore and the architecture within which they resided. As you travel through my book you reach the centre section that shows a drawing of the labyrinthine medieval harem floorplan. The scroll is a play on The Topkapi Scroll (a document held in their collections and illustrating architectural details), and the imagery found on talismanic garments worn by members of the royal family.
Instagram: @marksandpages