Isobel Rayson, Where We Go
The process almost always begins with walking. Wandering through rural landscapes, national parks or along beaches. Somewhere that offers the opportunity to silence the noise and provide a moment of clarity and stillness.
As my mind slows, details of the objects in front of me become more apparent. I find myself particularly drawn to patterns, textures or repetitive marks. I document these details in photographs and sketches adding to an ever-growing collection.
In the studio, I unpack and rearrange the composition of these details often broken down into familiar shapes or single lines. Using small carving gauges, I carve into the painted wooden surface revealing the natural colour of the wood. The carved marks are textured and raw and capture a remnant or record of moments spent in these natural environments.
This most recent body of small, reflective works were created during a time of intense, immersive making. The scale of the works are intimate, personal, like fragments from a visual diary. Collectively, the works read as somewhat of a timeline of the places explored over the past twelve months.