Sarah van Niekerk
I want students to enjoy engraving as much as I do. I am as excited as they are when they pull their own first print from the block
What will students gain if they come on one of your courses?Students will learn the rudiments of engraving during the course, the rest will come with experience. Even if they should find that engraving is not their ‘thing’, they should go home with an understanding and appreciation of the medium.
Are there any particular techniques/processes you use in your teaching?Teaching is all about demonstrating the techniques, learning by example (and trial and error). I hope to instil an interest and enthusiasm for the results.
What inspires your own work?I am inspired by all manner of things that I see about me. Landscape and growing things, animals, natural patterns, all can inspire along with the seasons of nature.
Where can students see examples of your work?I always bring examples of my work with me. Although I also use other artists’ work, it is clearer to explain a technique with my own. There are various galleries that hold my work and it is on several websites including the Royal West of England Academy, Bankside Gallery (RE & RWS), The Society of Wood Engravers and Fountain Fine Art.
Where did you gain your training/experience?
Central School of Arts & Crafts (Central St Martins). Diploma in Wood Engraving Slade School of Fine Art (post grad year).
What teaching experience have you had?City Literary Institute Royal Academy of Schools City & Guilds of London Art School West Dean College Various short courses Inniemore School of Painting
Is your work in any public or private collections?Victoria & Albert Museum Ashmolean Museum Fitzwilliam Museum Reading Museum Glenbow Museum Hereford Museum & Art Gallery Bristol University Bristol City Museum & Art Gallery London Institute Freemantle Arts Centre Graves Art Gallery Sheffield UCLA National Library of Wales National Museum of Wales Central St Martins Gallery National Engravers Society, Russia Private collections here and abroad
Have you written any books/had any aticles published?Illustrations for: The Folio Society The Greynog Press Oxford University Press Rider Books Pavillion Readers Digest Association Foundling Press Dents Primrose Academy Press ‘Og ‘A being more intense’ by U. Perry. Oblong Press – with a little bit of writing from me and 5 others!
Do you belong to any professional groups/societies?Society of Wood Engravers Royal Society of Painter/Printmakers Royal West of England Academy Hon. Royal Birmingham Society of Artists Bath Society of Artists