Pamela Lawton – Malkia Roberts

Description

My artwork, primarily prints, artist’s books, and mixed media pieces is grounded in social liberation and Black joy; seeking to illuminate the connection between historical and contemporary issues, cultural traditions, and the stories of people impacted by them. I take inspiration from my family history, intergenerational learning experiences, mentors like my artist-educators, and influential Black artists. I often combine text and image in my work and have coined the term artstories, to describe visual narratives representative of a multiplicity of generational voices on issues related to maturating within a multicultural society. My fascination with narrative forms of expression is one reason printmaking and artist’s books are my preferred artistic mediums. My process is a mix of printmaking methods, letterpress, image and text transfers, gelatin prints, collage, found objects, and decorative paper techniques. Literature and materials often drive my approach to a given concept. My portrait prints capture the character, culture, or art practice of artist-educators who have influenced my career. Each portrait was carved into shina plywood and printed using colors reflective of some attribute of the person depicted. Wood is the material I most enjoy working with as I feel a connection between my practice as a printmaker and the artistic traditions of family members, like my great-grandfather, a very skilled woodworker. Printmaking is a practice that comprises both traditional and innovative materials and processes, making it an ever-evolving medium that continues to develop; allowing me to build and grow my skills as an artist.