Michael McGraw

"The opportunity to develop my own work as Artist in Residence at the Centre for Fine Print Research at University Of West of England, Bristol, in conjunction with DA2 Digital Arts Development Agency allowed for a substantial period of time to research and develop a new body of work. "

"This residency was mainly concerned with the use of digital print and its relationship to more traditional forms of printmaking. My work generally centres on the use of lens and digitally based media which is extensively worked and/or transformed using a computer and editing programmes.

The work I made during my time in Bristol was a direct response to my surroundings and the perceptions I had about the physicalities and materiality of the immediate environment. The ideas behind these works is a series of "proposed" landscape interventions, part of a larger body of works entitled "Proposed Viewing Platforms and Shelters". The intention here is to design new (imaginary?) spaces and structures where one can change ones view of a place (both physicallly and psychologically).

These proposals although theoretical, have been researched and developed to be practically constructed and are by no means beyond the realm of possibility. By introducing subtle alterations to the view we are accustomed to, an extraordinary shift in ones viewpoint may take place; the familiar scene may well take on an entirely different aspect when observed from an uncommon position. The use of digital media is inherent to the ideas behind these works. The technology allows one to try out every possiblity and re- edit at virtually every stage of its production.

By using advanced layering techniques an image can be constructed and manipulated with immense control and precision, something which one would not even contemplate attempting if using conventional 'cut and paste' media. The resulting images were output to film and exposed on photo-lithographic plates, printed on Somerset Satin 300gsm paper."

Michael's work can be seen at A Survey of Mechanical Prints Exhibition at the CREATE Centre. 10-19 October 2000.

Opening times:
8am - 5pm Monday to Friday,
10am - 5pm Staurday.

CREATE Centre
Smeaton Road,
Bristol BS1 6XN

Tel. 0117 925 0505

Exhibition catalogue available
[ ISBN 0953607615]
£5.00

1. Suspension Reflection (view from Portway) 90cm x 72cm

2. Suspension Reflection (view from bridge) 90 x 72

3. Avon Displacements (Spa Water) 90 x 72