Margaret Ashman
Degree: MA Printmaking
University: University of Brighton
Graduation Year: 2005
New Blood Art Commentary
Notable Achievements 2021
See Investable Artists
With an impressive resumé and critical acclaim, Margaret Ashman presents sophisticated photo etchings. Investigating the human figure and movement by using dancers as her subject she captures softness and energy in her photographs using a multi-layered approach and incorporating oriental imagery…
An Oxford graduate with an MA in Physics from Somerville College,
Ashman's practice is deeply rooted in the photographic image, often featuring studies of deaf individuals signing. This unique focus allows her to address complex issues of religious faith and spirituality, with hands serving as a recurring motif that conveys the positive qualities of human nature and the depth of emotional expression. Her series "A Time for Everything," created from photo shoots with Japanese choreographer Chisato Minamimura, exemplifies her ability to capture the intersection of dance and visual art.
Her work has been showcased in numerous prestigious exhibitions, including the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, the London Original Print Fair, and the Hepworth Wakefield Print Fair. Notable solo shows include "Breaking Bread" at the Swiss Church in London and "A Time to Measure" at Happenstance Gallery. Ashman's contributions to the field have been recognised with awards such as the Flourish Award and the Chaiya Art Awards.
Artist Statement
Margaret makes works based on her own photographs of dancers and from other sources. Lately she has made work from video footage. Recent work is strong with physicality and a visceral sense of movement. She continues to use a muted palette.
Some works are deliberately low resolution, and a painterly style is achieved by blending several colours of ink on the etching plates when inking up. This style adds to the sense of movement and flow within each piece.
The dancers depicted are performing to worship songs; their gestures are full of emotion and passion. Margaret often chooses Japanese titles for her works, for the richness of meaning and the sound that the words make. For example Ogamu means pray, adore, venerate; Nayami means agony or anguish. Naku means cry or sing.
I strive for a spiritual elegance and simplicity in my finished works, in contrast to the lengthy, complicated process of making. Sometimes a poem or phrase or idea is given to the dancer as a starting point, from which the work evolves. Further layers add new constructs until the etching process translates the final image into a coherent whole, with rich textures and delicate colour combinations.
Solo Exhibitions
(2020) New Works, Yukiko Nagai, Shibuya-Ku, Tokyo
(2019) Higher Ground, Muse Gallery, London
Group Exhibitions
(2020) London Original Print Fair, Royal Society of Painter Printmakers, Online
(2020) RE Original Prints, Bankside Gallery, Online
(2020) 4th Red Dot Art Mini Print Exhibition, Anteros Arts Foundation, Norwich
(2020) Printmakers Council, Scarborough Art Gallery, Scarborough
(2019) The Poetics of Otherness, Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, New York
(2019) Print Fest, Algarden, Sweden
(2019) Summer Exhibition, Royal Academy of Arts, London
(2019) Flow, Gallery 57, Arundel
(2019) A Silent Space Between, Gallery 57, Arundel
(2018) ING Discerning Eye, Mall Galleries, London
(2018) National Original Print Exhibition, Bankside Gallery, London
(2018) International Triennial of Contemporary Graphic Arts, State Art Museum, Novosibirsk
(2018) Memory, Royal Overseas League, London
(2018) Light/Matter: Art at the Intersection of Photography and Printmaking, 1954 - 2017, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
(2018) Impress III, Fisherton Mill, Salisbury
Competitions, Prizes & Awards
(2019) Lawrence's Art Award
(2017) Hot Bed Press Purchase Prize
(2017) London Print Studio First Prize Summer Show
(2015) Arts Council Award
(2012) Intaglio Printmaker Award
(2011) International Print Prize, 3rd Guanlan International Print Biennial
(2010) Art of Giving National Art Competition Finalist
(2004) Julian Trevelyan Memorial Award