Sandie Henderson Exhibition - A Magical Process

Carnes Fine Art is delighted to be showcasing a number of equine inspired original zinc and stone plate lithographs by Lancashire based artist and sculptor Sandie Henderson.

Sandie has created a wonderful new collection of limited edition lithographs along with a limited number of sculptures for the exhibition. All new works will be available and on display in our gallery and the exhibition space in the main atrium at Cedar Farm.

Sandie's interest in Lithographic Printmaking began over twenty years ago after discovering Dame Elizabeth Frink's "Horse and Man" series of zinc plate lithographs created in the early 1970's. These powerful lithographs with their amazing reticulated washes, inspired her to explore the process of lithography for herself. This became possible in 2004 when she was accepted onto the Artist's Access to Art College Scheme (AA2A), hosted by The University of Central Lancashire. Sandie's personal AA2A project was to study lithography and lithographic processes using UCLan's well equipped printmaking studio facilities.

The AA2A scheme was intensive and incredibly valuable, allowing Sandie the freedom to explore ideas, to be experimental and to develop sketchbook drawings into original zinc plate and stone lithographs. Sandie's says "like many artists before me, I initially found the process of lithography frustratingly complex and unpredictable, though ultimately these challenges proved to be compelling".

Sandie's enthusiasm for lithography was given a massive boost when shortly after completing the AA2A scheme, she successfully submitted two Equine Anatomy lithographs for the prestigious Stone-Plate-Grease-Water International Contemporary Lithography Exhibition. The exhibition featured the work of sixty four artists from over seven countries world wide, and opened at The Museum of Modern Art for Wales, before touring to Bankside Gallery London and Queen's University Belfast. Acceptance for this exciting exhibition, at an early and formative stage in Sandie's career, helped to firmly establish lithographic printmaking into her artistic practice.

Sandie now works from her home studio making lithographs on a beautiful old Victorian Flatbed Press, manufactured in Edinburgh by D & J Greig almost two hundred years ago. During its long working life the little press has been used commercially in a building on Liverpool Docks, and probably also in other unknown locations. Sandie acquired the press from a South London Print Studio where it had been used for a variety of different printmaking processes, including woodblock, linocut, and collography, as well as lithography. It has a very particular "presence" and takes pride of place in Sandie's studio.

Horses have played a major role in Sandie's life since childhood and much of her adult life has been spent working professionally in the equine industry as a riding instructor, horse breeder, trainer and judge. In her sculpture and printmaking it is natural that horses should remain the recurring theme.

Although her work is essentially contemporary, its roots are very much grounded in antiquity. Major influences include Ancient Greek, Etruscan and Tang Dynasty Art. The classic 1766 publication, "The Anatomy of the Horse" by George Stubbs has been a particular source of inspiration and reference.

In Sandie's words "My work involves research into Ancient Art to explore a contemporary interpretation of the Horse. Through sculpture, drawing and printmaking I aim to capture the inherent characteristics of the horse, its essential power and dynamic energy whilst in motion and an elemental spirit of the wild that connects my horses to the landscape of their environment. Close observation and study of equine physiology and ethology are important aspects of my art practice."

Sandie's work has been exhibited widely both in this country and abroad, and is held in various public and private collections.

As a gallery owner I am aware that "Modern British" work is incredibly popular and Sandie's work is very much inspired by this genre, with clear links to the late Dame Elisabeth Frink, one of Britain's leading and most celebrated 20th century artists & sculptors. We are absolutely thrilled to be collaborating with Sandie and to be holding this wonderful exhibition at our gallery at Cedar Farm.