Jemma Gunning Somerset, United Kingdom
I am a printmaker specialising in etching, focusing on themes of abandonment, decay, and transformation. My work captures the fragility of both built and natural environments, using print to create dramatic tonal contrasts. I explore the intersection of heritage and environmental change, often drawing inspiration from urban and mountainous landscapes in flux.
My artistic practice is centered around printmaking, particularly etching, where I explore themes of abandonment, decay, and transformation. I am drawn to both urban environments and natural landscapes, capturing the fragility and impermanence of spaces in flux. My work often focuses on abandoned buildings and heritage sites, reflecting the societal and environmental changes that affect them.
I use aquatint in my etching practice to create rich tonal contrasts, emphasising the texture and depth of the spaces I depict. This technique allows me to convey a sense of atmosphere and evoke the passage of time, which is central to my work. Recently, I have expanded my practice to include natural environments, such as mountain landscapes and receding glaciers, blending the themes of urban decay with environmental vulnerability.
Through my prints, I seek to create a narrative about the impermanence of both the natural world and human-made structures, exploring the connections between these changing environments. My practice is about capturing moments of transition—whether that be the slow collapse of a building or the rapid retreat of glaciers—offering a reflection on the fragility of our world.
