Susan Cantrill-Williams
An interview
with Susan Cantrill-Williams
about her multiple:
'Aber Falls. Rhaeadr Fawr’
Where did you make these multiples?
On location at Aber Falls, fab_LAB Pontio and my studio.
Any interesting or funny stories in the development of these multiples?
I have been aiming to make a series of work that described a sense of place for a while. I have been drawing at Aber Falls for years and never experienced the same conditions twice. I am interested in landscape and its atmosphere, cultivation, decay and enhancement, the results of natural and human activity, I wanted each piece to be the same but totally different. The paintings were made in situ and I translated my drawings into vectors programs which a laser etcher cut or burnt different levels into the supports. Then I collaged the items together. I took me 12 months to learn how to translate my drawings into vectors because I only had access to coral draw at Pontio Bangor one day a week, and then it was limited because there were 3 licenses and 10 students all wanting to learn or use it. The series at Plas Bodfa were the first conclusions of this idea. I have since made several individual large pieces using this method of working.
Tell me about your experience with Unus Multorum and/or Plas Bodfa as it relates to your multiples.
Making this series was an opportunity to experiment and visualise.
You choose to make a certain number of Objects in your edition. Why this number?
I had limited time using the Laser etcher because as soon as lockdown started fab_LAB closed and I realised how limited and dependent on technology the works are. I had enough good pieces to make 10 pieces.
Where do you imagine these multiples to end up?
I would like to think they would be collected in multiples of 2 or 3 to experience the different atmosphere in this special place at Aber Falls
Tell me more about the materials used in your multiple.
Why did you choose this material? What do you like about it?
Each piece is collaged from 2 mixed media paintings and a laser etching
Why do you make things (in general)?
I like to make artefacts that represent my thought processes and emotional responses to a sense of place.