Karen Thompson has been in residence at Platform Studios, St Mary’s Market, St Helens for 6 months from November 2015 - April 2016 as one of two successful recipients of Platform’s Graduate Studio Bursary. During the six months working in this free studio, Karen has created a series of work titled Made in St Helens, a direct response to the everyday sights and sounds she encountered around St Helens during the bursary period.
Karen’s main focus for this body of work weather events including the extreme weather of the December 2015 floods. Her response was recorded using mixed media including paint, ink and oil pastels on board and paper. Karen’s techniques include layering, obfuscation and masking, she conceals and reveals areas, makes specific choices of colours and changes the consistency of her paint through the addition of water to reflect her interpretation of the visual scenes.
Karen’s abstract images provide a sense of balance, through the effect of damage and repair. During the studio bursary, Karen has been influenced by other artists work, including Hans Degner, Gustav Klimt and Vincent Van Gogh.
Platform’s graduate studio bursary was supported by Heart of Glass. For further information about the Coffee Stop gallery, or if you’re interested in purchasing work please email info@platformartsthelens.co.uk
