Featured Artist: Liz Sumner: Ground Floor Gallery

EXPLORING COLOUR

With a keen interest in the visual and performing arts, Liz Sumner studied psychology at Glasgow University and completed a Masters at Strathclyde University which led to a career in educational psychology. Some years before retirement, Liz went part time to attend art classes and summer intensives.

A tutor at the time suggested that she take a portfolio class and this led to undertaking an undergraduate degree at Glasgow School of Art in the Environmental Art department.

Liz was due to graduate in 2014, however due to the Mackintosh Building fire of that year, she and her cohort were unable to do so. The class were given an extra Phoenix bursary year in order to have the degree show in the newly opened Reid building in 2015.

"I returned to my old painting tradition and collaborated with the model and artist Madeline Brown, I made a very large wall hanging in black fabric on which I had painted large brightly coloured dancing ladies. I used the same painted fabric to make Madeline a dress which she wore at the opening of the degree show.

I asked myself: what to do now? I continued with painting in the life room but having had a brief taste of screenprinting at art school, some friends suggested that I join Glasgow Print Studio. I wanted to do more screenprinting because I love the use of colour and I feel as if I'm making a new and exciting beginning to my art career. I'm learning all the time and enjoying being a part of this lovely community."

This exhibition marks a new chapter, a deeper dive into the vibrant world of printmaking. Drawn to the expressive power of colour and the collaborative spirit of the medium, Liz has found a new language for her artistic vision here at Glasgow Print Studio.