James Roberts

My work is an expression of the wildness that surrounds us at all times, sometimes almost imperceptible, sometimes miraculous, always in a process of transformation. Birds and mammals are the main focus as they are ever-present but ever-fleeting. Their moving shapes are the epitome of wildness. As the poet W.S. Merwin said: “Wildness is everything that is just beyond reach.” I work on paper using a wet process with ink and salt, a technique which allows for maximum simplicity and spontaneity, letting the pigment flow freely with unpredictable textures and flows. The result is a sense of movement, a wild dance created using the smallest footprint – just a few drops of ink, salt and water.