Ian Chamberlain – Emergence

‘Shifting Sands, North Atlantic Wall’ illustrates the collection of new drawings and etchings made by Ian Chamberlain 2015 – 2020. It includes an introduction to his work by Fiona Robinson, illuminating quotes from the artist about this project and the making of his etchings: plus photographs of his unique ‘etching coding system’ for marking up his etchings during the development of the plates in the studio.

The Atlantic Wall is a WWII German defence system built along the west coast of Europe. Chamberlain interprets these brutalist forms as architectural metaphors concerning boundaries and borders.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Through drawing and printmaking Ian Chamberlain reinterprets man-made structures as monuments in the landscape. These structures are architectural metaphors of past and current technological achievements. He has had a long-standing fascination with technology and architectural forms especially the structures within industry, agriculture, science and the military. These have included Goonhilly Earth station, The Lovell Telescope, Cheshire Maunsell Sea Forts in the Thames estuary and the Acoustic Sound Mirrors on the South Kent Coast.

Chamberlain uses traditional process and materials including etching and pencil to record structures. He articulates the textures and surface details within the rich surfaces of his images by building complex layers of mark and tone. The structures he draws are often now derelict or partially demolished. The etchings become an extension of his drawing, allowing him to record the location through the interlinking processes. The work is a visual historical document and a record of places that he has visited.

Ina Chamberlain’ s prints and drawings are held in the collections of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London; Tate Modern, London; Bristol Museum; Royal West of England Academy, Bristol; Pallant House Gallery, Chichester; The University of Chichester collection; The Ashmolean, Oxford.

Ian Chamberlain lives and works in Bristol, UK. In addition to his studio practice he is Senior Lecturer in M.A Multi-Disciplinary Printmaking and Drawing and Print, B.A (Hons)The University of the West of England, Bristol, UK.