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Lessons learned in the beating heart of Mexican food, culture and art took on a new significance for one local artist during the pandemic.
Born and bred in Jersey, lino print artist Chris Corfield studied Product Design at Middlesex University in North London after leaving Hautlieu in 2008.
After graduating, he found himself in the world of high-end sales, which he then left in 2017 to go travelling with his partner Ella.
The pair ended up in Oaxaca, the beating heart of Mexican food, culture and art, where, thanks to local artist Federico Valdez, Chris learned the secrets of block printing and found a new creative direction that he returned to during the pandemic after being furloughed.
Like most people I'd done a bit of lino cutting in secondary school, respect to Mr Cole at Le Rocquier, but I had never taken it any further than those lessons. However, during my travels I reignited the passion, and muscle memory, for the medium. The city of Oaxaca was awash with bold, striking prints and it drew me in from the very first second.
I think it's the step-by-step process that I love. The initial drawing, defining it, the carving, the inking, the printing -you can't move onto the next stage until you've completed the one before. It keeps me focussed on the task in hand. Lino is also a medium that lends itself to quick results. If I have a strong idea in my mind, there's no reason why I can't draw it, carve it and print it within a couple of hours. It's instant gratification, which as an artist is great for momentum.
Pictured: "During my travels I reignited the passion, and muscle memory, for the medium."
Anyone who knows me knows that I love anything Art Deco, Mid Century and Bauhaus. Geometry, clean lines, beautiful proportions- what’s not to love!
Pictured: "At university, a lot of my design inspiration came from architects and designers like Walter Gropius, Deiter Rams and Charles & Ray Eames."
At university, a lot of my design inspiration came from architects and designers like Walter Gropius, Deiter Rams (the genius behind Braun) and Charles & Ray Eames, so it was natural that my work would draw inspiration from the balance and poise of their designs.
This article first appeared in Connect Magazine, which you can read by clicking HERE.
