James Fisher, “Althea R”

“The way in which I make the paintings is strongly influenced by Ukiyo-e Japanese woodblock printing. This is evident in the areas of flat translucent colour laid in layers over textured surfaces to build images. References to Japanese lacquer work and textiles are made through decorative and metallic inlays within the painting surfaces.

I have also been considering how biography can be worked with as another form of fabrication in terms of myth making and telling stories about our selves. My paintings are titled with reference to biography and enable me in particular to explore the lives of notable – forgotten – women. By using the names of (often ghostly) characters – from folklore or comics, for example – I am also able to conflate biography with fiction: making things with making things up.”

-James Fisher, 2016