Edinburgh Printmakers

From the atmosphere
Print folio 2002-2003

From the atmosphere is a series of original prints based on weather satellite imagery. Intended to be viewed as pairs of images, the sequence begins with 'approaching storm' which is a satellite-scan image composited from two satellite passes. With each subsequent piece in the series the satellite imagery is increasingly transformed showing a change of view and perspective.

Throughout the series, references are made to false- colour imaging, radar images and isobar charts which are all diagramatic conventions used by science as a way of representing organic, chaotic systems in nature. I like this fusion of old and new. Any sequence, like a weather sequence, lends itself to representing change and gives a context to increasingly abstracted images. Working within this format has allowed me to mirror the changes in nature which occur in both short and long time scales. Science has a way of interpreting and representing nature with which we are now visually familiar. It is from this filtered viewpoint that I have drawn my inspiration for this series.

In making the prints, both downloaded satellite images and cloud photographs from my camera were the initial inspiration. These sources were altered and developed using 2d and 3d imaging programmes before being combined with hands-on printmaking techniques in lithography and screenprinting.

Alastair Clark 2003

Biography:

Studied drawing and painting at E.C.A. working with mixed-media, including printmaking. After a postgraduate diploma he became more involved in printmaking. Since1992 he has worked at Edinburgh Printmakers Workshop, initially as the lithography technician, attending the Tamarind Institute of Lithography, Summer Workshop, Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1995.

Now the studio manager of Edinburgh Printmakers his position often involves working collaboratively with other artists, assisting each in the generation of their image, and editioning their work as part of the workshops publishing programme.

He works mostly with Stone Lithography, although screenprinting, digital imaging and photography all have a fascination:

‘Working in the field of printmaking allows me freedom to transform and edit images. Colour is a passion for me, as is the thrill of creating something new. I like the mixed media nature of printmaking and often combine photographic and digitally manipulated imagery with direct painted and hand made marks to build layers of richness and visual reference into each piece. The separation which each printmaking process allows, gives me the opportunity to work more objectively, perhaps as a film editor or a sound engineer does.’

He has exhibited widely, both in the UK and abroad, showing at the print Biennales in Belgrade and in Tidaholm, Sweden. Taught part time at Edinburgh College of Art and is a professional member of the Society of Scottish Artists where he has regularly exhibited prints and paintings.

	Alastair Clark
	Approaching Storm	Downpour
	Overview	Gale-force
	Projected View 1	Projected View 2
	Easterly	Westerly
	Weather Patterns	Clear Skies
	From the atmosphere Print folio 2002-2003 From the atmosphere is a series of original prints based on weather satellite imagery. Intended to be viewed as pairs of images, the sequence begins with 'approaching storm' which is a satellite-scan image composited from two satellite passes. With each subsequent piece in the series the satellite imagery is increasingly transformed showing a change of view and perspective. Throughout the series, references are made to false- colour imaging, radar images and isobar charts which are all diagramatic conventions used by science as a way of representing organic, chaotic systems in nature. I like this fusion of old and new. Any sequence, like a weather sequence, lends itself to representing change and gives a context to increasingly abstracted images. Working within this format has allowed me to mirror the changes in nature which occur in both short and long time scales. Science has a way of interpreting and representing nature with which we are now visually familiar. It is from this filtered viewpoint that I have drawn my inspiration for this series. In making the prints, both downloaded satellite images and cloud photographs from my camera were the initial inspiration. These sources were altered and developed using 2d and 3d imaging programmes before being combined with hands-on printmaking techniques in lithography and screenprinting. Alastair Clark 2003 Biography: Studied drawing and painting at E.C.A. working with mixed-media, including printmaking. After a postgraduate diploma he became more involved in printmaking. Since1992 he has worked at Edinburgh Printmakers Workshop, initially as the lithography technician, attending the Tamarind Institute of Lithography, Summer Workshop, Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1995. Now the studio manager of Edinburgh Printmakers his position often involves working collaboratively with other artists, assisting each in the generation of their image, and editioning their work as part of the workshops publishing programme. He works mostly with Stone Lithography, although screenprinting, digital imaging and photography all have a fascination: ‘Working in the field of printmaking allows me freedom to transform and edit images. Colour is a passion for me, as is the thrill of creating something new. I like the mixed media nature of printmaking and often combine photographic and digitally manipulated imagery with direct painted and hand made marks to build layers of richness and visual reference into each piece. The separation which each printmaking process allows, gives me the opportunity to work more objectively, perhaps as a film editor or a sound engineer does.’ He has exhibited widely, both in the UK and abroad, showing at the print Biennales in Belgrade and in Tidaholm, Sweden. Taught part time at Edinburgh College of Art and is a professional member of the Society of Scottish Artists where he has regularly exhibited prints and paintings. See more >