‘Wild Solace’ in the HeArts gallery

Published: 26 March 2024

The next exhibition in the HeArts gallery at Torbay Hospital is Wild Solace by Claire Armitage.

Describing her work and the exhibition, Claire said: “I create prints to capture a sense of place and invite an immersion into the wild beauty of West Cornwall’s landscape, flora and fauna; with its hidden woodlands, sweeping curves of moorland and coastlines where the Atlantic Ocean meets the skies.

“Situated inland from the coast, I work surrounded by meadows and woodlands. I gain a deep sense of place by revisiting the same locations to draw and paint from direct observation, exploring the colours and fauna as they change with the seasons and time of day. Back in my studio I create detailed botanical studies of the plants I’ve collected. Gradually I develop the compositions and colours for my prints, often layering the minutia of nature within larger landscapes.

“The process of drawing, carefully carving, and printing each linocut becomes a mindful immersion, grounding me in the present moment and serving as a gentle yet poignant reminder of the profound beauty and delicate balance of the natural world, in which we are all interconnected.”

Claire is currently working with the HeArts team at Torbay and South Devon to produce a series of prints for Simpson ward.

The exhibition can be found in the HeArts gallery, in the corridor behind level 4 main reception at Torbay Hospital, from Saturday 30 March to Sunday 02 June 2024.