Caroline Barrett's Artist in Residence program at Brighton Grammar School focused on the theme of ‘Biodiversity in Bayside’ - fostering appreciation and connection with the local area of Bayside’s natural environment. Bayside is located on the shore of Port Phillip Bay, in Melbourne, Australia.
Caroline took inspiration from the diversity of plant, bird and animal life in the Bayside area. She recorded nature through local walks in seaside and suburban landscapes. Caroline documented both native species in wild spaces and cultivated species from gardens and parks.
Caroline used a pochoir (stencil) printmaking technique. She drew and cut many stencils of the Bayside species she had recorded. The stencils were inked and used to create successive layers on a baseplate. The stencils and baseplate were rolled through a printing press multiple times, eventually creating a monoprint.
Caroline enjoys the spontaneity and unpredictability of pochoir printing. No two prints are the same. The layering of stencils gives movement, depth and erratic ink effects which combine to give a unique handmade quality to each piece.
Blooms of Bayside, Birds of Bayside
Pochoir Prints
Caroline Barrett
Pochoir printing process showing 1. Bayside bird: White-Faced Heron (Egretta novaehollandiae) 2. Bird stencils 3. Inked plant stencils on baseplate 4. Printing Press