Constance Frood
St Andrew's Cathedral School
THE IN-BETWEEN
Drawing
Lino, gouache, Perspex, oil pastel
Contemporary city life is fast paced and often too busy. Time alone is rare. My body of work examines the time and space ‘in between’ daily life. The time spent sitting down for a coffee, tea or some lunch and quietly reflecting during the in-between time. My work references Matisse’s dream of art being like “a good armchair which provides relaxation from physical fatigue”. My intention is for audiences to feel relaxed and take a moment to breathe.
My artmaking practice has been influenced by the study and interpretation of the following artists: Henri Matisse, Wendy Sharpe, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec.
Marker's Commentary
The In-Between is a striking series of gestural drawings and hand-coloured lino prints that explore the psychological states of the sitters. The student demonstrates technical mastery through innovative mark-making, bold strokes, and contrasting colours. Gouache washes are expressively layered, adding both depth and emotional resonance. The confident use of linework throughout the series establishes a distinct personal style that enhances the work’s overall impact. The vibrant compositions are rich and varied, blending varied poses, gazes, and symbolic elements. These choices invite the viewer to engage with multiple layers of meaning, while the artist’s nuanced handling of line and colour creates a sophisticated, mature visual language. Discordant colours and expressive compositions direct attention to each subject’s inner world, amplifying the emotional depth of each piece.
The series offers a deeply personal perspective, shaped by the artist’s own observations and experiences. It captures quiet, reflective moments of time, contemplation, and waiting, those liminal spaces between action and thought. Through these intimate portrayals, the body of work provides a unique insight into the complexities of the human experience, encouraging the viewer to connect with the emotions and thoughts that unfold in these subtle, yet profound, moments. Organised within a grid-like structure, the work uses framing and a variety of viewpoints to both contain and extend the imagery, fostering dynamic engagement across the series. This thoughtfully crafted body of work blends personal reflection with universal themes, demonstrating not only technical skill but also emotional depth. It showcases a sophisticated understanding of how drawing can be a powerful tool for conveying complex emotions and narratives.