Prudence Ainslie – Compressive Force – down

Compressive Force – up and Compressive Force – down

“A pure compression form – an arch is held in place by the weight of all of its members”

For almost half a century, the Aylesbury estate has been at the centre of Britain’s unresolved arguments about class segregation in cities, about whether architecture can cause social dysfunction. “Compressive Force – up” and “Compressive Force – down” reinterprets the semi-demolished areas of the estate that are subsequently under regeneration. In these prints, hollow architectural studies are interlaced with a series of supporting woodcut arches, framing cloudscape vistas that continue to break through into the deserted spaces.

In ‘arch –across’ and ‘arch –between’, each image entices exploration through a field of colour. The viewer is absorbed into the space, initially unaware of the reconfiguration of perspective and location. Combining contemporary archival digital and woodcut printmaking methods, enhances the fluxus in the surface of these prints

Ainslie is a shortlisted artist for the Jerwood – PMT Print Prize 2020.