Chris Ratcliffe

PRINTMAKER PROFILE

ARTIST STATEMENT

I am an artist and graphic designer who trained at the University of Brighton, and went on to study MA printmaking at Camberwell College of Arts, graduating in 2001. I have since worked as a practicing artist and designer, and most of my practice revolves around screen printing which I have worked with for over 25 years.

I have exhibited widely in the UK including a solo exhibition at George P. Johnson, London, SE1 and a 2 person exhibition at the ICA, London, SW1 with Simon Thorogood. I have also taken part in numerous group exhibitions, and curated many group exhibitions and artist led projects over the last 25 years.

My working process involves observing, collecting and interpreting everyday life, particularly around south east London, often contrasting the ‘real-life’ experience, with the fabricated, imagined or idealised version of life ‘sold’ to us through lifestyle blogs, magazines and social media. These observations become drawings, prints or objects which often combine images with typography, and are always produced using time consuming handmade and digital processes including screen-printing, silverpoint drawing, animation or 3D making.

As well as making my own work for exhibition, working on commissioned work and projects, I am a founding member of Garudio Studiage, a creative collective based in New Cross, who make products which are sold in stores such as the Museum of London, the V&A Shop, Selfridges and the Cartoon Museum.

In addition to this practice, I currently teach on the BA & MA Illustration and Visual Media courses at The London College of Communication (LCC), and I have previously taught at other institutions including Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design and Camberwell College of Arts.

Chris Ratcliffe