Essence

A Selection of Collaborative Works by Annie Henry and Sarah Macdonald

This time last year, Sarah asked if I might be interested in an art collaboration, and I very excitedly said ‘yes’. We met a few times to have general conversations about what we might like to explore and finally came up with the word ‘essence’. Months went by before we could actually get together and share our thoughts… and we finally made it out on to the coast path and into the landscape of Cape Cornwall on 17 September. Later that week we spent a morning at Botallack Mines… on both occasions the sun shone upon us! 

During recent weeks, as well as collaborating, and living our day to day lives, Sarah has continued to paint her canvasses and I have attended life drawing classes and created ceramics in my studio. Most of the work you see in this exhibition has been made in the last 6 weeks.

I have loved every moment spent with Sarah chatting about the work and life in general … drawing, painting, creating cyanotypes in the garden and encouraging each other. She introduced me to Sumi ink, and suggested working on a collage together where I lost myself in the process of drawing the slipway at Cape Cornwall, introducing my ‘angel’ signature motif in the stonework. We swapped the paper back and forth… Sarah cutting stencils and adding paint, and me, with my new found Sumi ink, painting and collaging.

I have enjoyed watching Sarah manipulate the digital collages combining both our artworks, creating interesting images using colours and perspectives I would never have imagined.

The ceramic landscapes were new to both of us. I rolled out the slabs and sculpted the forms, and once fired, Sarah painted on the glazes with her distinctive brush strokes.

I would deeply encourage others to work collaboratively. I have found it inspiring developing ideas and using new materials in ways I would have never thought of doing. Thank you, Sarah for our beautiful time together exploring the Essence of Landscape and Figure - Annie Henry November 2024

for more narrative of the exhibition

Essence - Annie Henry 

Observing the essence of a figure  in front of me, I respond with a simple line, drawing freely, sometimes moved to portray the body multiple times.  I see a similarity and a connection between landscape and figure … curves and valleys, light and dark, hard line and softness.

Sarah asked me if I look for figures in the landscape?  Not necessarily … but I do get excited when people come into view.  Tiny figures on a hill or rock put the vastness of the landscape into perspective.  With each encounter I have a greater appreciation for the world around me.  I am moved to give thanks for its beauty and filled with a sense of peace, joy and relationship … I feel a greater Presence.

Essence - Sarah Macdonald 

As a painter, layering textures and colours is central to my process. To capture the essence of an idea, I break it down to its basic elements—textures, colours, and shapes—and build them up again with a sense of play. I work with simple, energetic marks, letting layers come together naturally, without overthinking. Each layer hints at something deeper without fully revealing it, keeping the work open and alive.

I would say (for me) that this approach reflects the theme of ‘Essence" —a balance between simplicity and complexity, lightness and depth. The work feels most true when it’s free, unforced, and playful, capturing the raw core of the idea.