Based in Perth, Karen Prakhoff Rickman is a contemporary artist whose work focuses on the layered nature of memory and time through printmaking. She earned her Master of Creative Arts at Curtin University in 2006 and has since exhibited widely across Perth and Melbourne. Rickman’s artistic achievements include being a finalist in numerous art awards and winning the acquisitive City of Melville Art Awards in 2021.
Monoprinting Techniques and Conceptual Approach
Rickman’s recent body of work investigates the palimpsest landscape—an idea of overlapping memories and fragmented images. Her preferred medium, monoprinting, suits this perfectly. She creates unique state prints where each layer simultaneously forms and erases imagery. This technique not only shapes the aesthetic but also carries conceptual weight. The artworks evoke themes of loss, renewal, and the passage of time.
Connection to Nature and Memory in Visual Art
Karen Prakhoff Rickman creative process begins with photographs of natural landscape fragments, which she takes herself. These images often appear isolated from their original context, allowing viewers to focus on the emotional resonance tied to the land. Furthermore, the square format Rickman frequently uses references traditional Polaroids, linking her practice to nostalgia and memory. Today, she also incorporates images captured on her iPhone to expand her visual vocabulary.
Exploring Layers and Texture Through Mixed Media Prints
Working on two or three prints at once, Rickman experiments with repetition and layering. She uses techniques like ghost prints, mirror imaging, and stenciling with torn paper or bark. Ink application varies, employing rollers, brushes, rags, and even cotton buds. This diverse approach creates an intriguing tension between surface texture and spatial depth. Ultimately, her prints invite viewers to explore the delicate balance between mark-making and illusion.
