Linda Mallett

Purple Route

I aim to be as environmentally sustainable as possible in the production of my creative work, collecting my materials from the local area and using sustainable processes to produce work to a high standard. Much of my time is spent figuring out how to get from the raw material to a considered and positive creative outcome.

Behind the Scenes
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About My Practice

I am making 2 and 3 dimensional pieces from seaweeds collected from the shoreline.
I am making a range of papers from a variety of plant materials, both foraged and grown in my garden.
I am making inks from the plant materials and collecting rocks and clays to grind into pigments for paints.
And my new work over the past year has been to repurpose old works on (high quality) paper to make moulded bowls as well as new 2D images.

Tools & Materials

My studio is on the ground floor of my house, overlooking the sea, though my studio work often spreads out into the rest of the house and garden. Some of the techniques I use (for making paper, for cording fibres) are ancient, some of them, particularly working with seaweed, I have had to develop myself, by experimentation based on past experience.
Of major importance to me for the past 10 years or so is to use ecologically sustainable materials and techniques as far as possible – though many of the techniques use a lot of water and electricity. Even ecologically sustainable art does not come for free.
I am trying as far as possible to source additives such as size for the papers and binders for the inks and paints from locally available sustainable materials, avoiding any chemicals and processes that are damaging to the environment.
Primarily I am trying to make meaningfully creative artworks from all these sources, always challenging myself to make something new and contemporary from what may be ancient techniques. And always inspired at root by the local environment of sea and land, plants and rocks, hills and waves.