Sarah Diver was invited to take part in New Print Generation at Edinburgh Printmakers in 2012. The exhibition showcased emerging talent of recent graduates selected from across the four Scottish Art College Degree Shows. Artists were chosen for their innovative use of print within their artistic practice.

As part of the GAP programme to support recent graduates, artists were given bespoke training in the studio as well as an opportunity to collaborate with our Master Printers to produce an edition published by Edinburgh Printmakers.

Artist Statement

“My work takes inspiration from early 20th Century European painting and printmaking, I am especially interested in artists such as Max Ernst, Roland Penrose and Hannah Höch whose use of print and photo collage revolutionised the path of modern European printmaking. My work is based on many themes, previously political and debating social issues, but more recently has developed to consider man’s relationship with society, his emotional battle with his environment and reaction to his surroundings.

I often begin with an idea, an image or composition that changes throughout the print process; this experimentation allows the prints to develop and surprise. I enjoy collage and using text or language from newspapers and advertisements to enhance the meaning of an image or change it completely, text is sometimes used in contradiction to the image to highlight absurdity or meaning.

My work is mainly figurative and explores our relationship to technology or advancement. It often discusses our two selves: Mankind, our natural needs and instincts, and Humankind, our scientific and medical progression, our beliefs and morals.”

Biography

Originally from Northern Ireland, Sarah Diver is a graduate in printmaking from Grays School of Art in Aberdeen. Throughout her student life Sarah has actively taken part in open exhibitions and collaborations across the country including The Mall Galleries in London, Aberdeen Artist's Society, Edinburgh Printmakers, Peacocks Print Gallery, The Embassy Gallery and the SSA Graduate Show in Edinburgh.

Sarah has been dedicated to exploring new ways of using print methods specialising in etching and screen-print. She also has experimented in various bookbinding techniques and has produced several artists’ books and taken part in the Sheffield International Book Prize.