Our latest Artist Profile is with artist Chelsea Rosenbrock, winner of the Honourable Mention: Ernest Studio Prize at the Fifty Squared Art Prize.
Chelsea Rosenbrock is currently a student studying a Bachelor of Fine Arts at the Victorian College of the Arts. Throughout her first year at uni she was able to find a more distinct style within her own artwork, and found herself becoming more interested in the process of lino and printmaking, preferring to use old family photos as reference imagery to bring them back to life in a more contemporary context.
What medium(s) do you work with, and why have you chosen them?
I have been experimenting with many different mediums in the past year as I think it’s important to expand my options when making new pieces. I used to make a lot of drawings using biro pens which I enjoy as it allows me to include as much detail as I can, but have recently been making ink paintings which brings an interesting fluid and unpredictable aspect to each image. The main medium I have been working with lately is lino as I enjoy the whole process from carving a plate to printing each piece manually. It allows me to spend more time with each piece that I don’t often get when using other mediums.
Can you elaborate a little more on your making process — how does your artwork get from initial concept to exhibition stage?
Lately since I’ve been using old family photos as my reference materials, I start each piece by searching through my collection to find the photo that stands out to me the most. I pay particular attention to composition and tonal variation, then scan the image once chosen. I then spend some time editing the image to remove any unwanted features and fix any other issues with the image. I then begin to convert it into half-tone lines to transfer onto my lino block so it’s ready to carve.
Who or what are the biggest influences on your work?
Although not directly referenced in my work, I draw a lot of my inspiration from music, films, and photography. I have always been interested in portraying people rather than objects in my artwork, so seeing the way that other artists, filmmakers, and photographers express these similar themes constantly gives me ideas on how my own work can improve and evolve. I also find myself influenced by many of my peers at uni as I’m always being exposed to many new ways of creating art that I might not have considered before.
Can you tell us a little more about your creative working environment/studio?
Since I am studying at the Victorian College of the Arts, a large amount of my work is created at my studio on campus. I find that being surrounded by other artists who are in the same situation as I am is quite helpful in allowing me to stay motivated and constantly thinking of ways I can improve my practice. I’m fortunate enough to have access to many opportunities that allow me to learn new forms of art making which has played a big role in developing my work.
What does your selection as one of the winners of this Fifty Squared Art Prize mean to you, and to the future of your practice?
I feel incredibly humbled that my artwork ‘Family Portrait #2’ has been chosen for the Ernest Studio Prize. This was my first time ever entering in an art prize so it was quite unexpected but definitely exciting to see that my work was well received by everyone. This has given me motivation to continue to create pieces like this, and put myself out there more in the art community. I look forward to entering more works into future exhibitions at Brunswick Street Gallery.
This Prize was awarded by the team at Ernest Studio.
