Fran Farrar (Artist Printmaker)
Text and Photos by Vincent Dupont-Blackshaw
The Isle of Wight is also about the people who live here.
I met Fran Farrar during an event organised by the Isle of Wight Creative Network at the Monkton Art Cafe.
When she told me she was a printmaker based in Cowes and that she had a printing press at home, I knew visiting her studio would be interesting.
For ‘Life on the Isle of Wight’, she is sharing her journey and her favorite places on the island.
Vincent Dupont-Blackshaw: How would you define your work?
Fran Farrar: I am an artist printmaker exploring memory, ancestry and place through abstract copper etching, monotypes and painting. I use a combination of traditional and exploratory printmaking methods to interpret personal emotional concepts through abstracted imagery. I generally make intimate, short edition prints that bring together environmental identity with familial connections, and often refer to nostalgic recollections. I’m currently working on a large-scale print installation that will be shown at Quay Arts 22nd July to 8th October 2023, which is very exciting.
V.D.B.: What is your story with the IOW? What brought you here?
F.F.: I grew up in the New Forest – looking across at the Isle of Wight, and would always ask why I couldn’t just swim over? In later teen plus years I often came over to the Island for parties and socialising and never thought twice about it being an actual Island. Studies, work and relationships led me to eventually live in Norfolk for 25 years bringing up our family, but now we’ve moved back South to the Island…a real sense of coming home.
V.D.B.: How does living on the island influence your work?
F.F.: The clarity of light and access to the sea definitely enhances both my practice and personal wellbeing. Looking out over the Solent with ever changing big skies and moving waters certainly gives inspiration. My work explores themes of memory, captured moments and light, so being able to see a huge fluctuating panorama from my studio is wonderful.
V.D.B.: What is your favorite thing about the Isle of Wight?
F.F.: I try and swim in the sea most days throughout the year, whatever the weather, so the fact that you are never far from the coastline is a real plus. I also really enjoy the fact that I can buy local produce that’s made or grown on the island – there’s a real pride in that.
V.D.B.: What is the Island's most underrated attraction/place?
F.F.: I think that the Downs above Mottistone are beautiful. You can see for miles across the Island and over to the Mainland, they have a real sense of ancient serenity and place.
V.D.B.: If someone who had never visited the island before came for the first time, where would you take them?
F.F.: I’d start with taking people swimming at Gurnard – it’s local, pretty and afterwards you can sit at The Woodvale with a nice glass of something watching the sunset over the Solent.
V.D.B.: What is your favourite pubs/restaurants on the island?
F.F.: The Woodvale – see above – is a great spot especially after swimming. For delicious food I really like The Smoking Lobster in Cowes, tasty Asian fusion and fresh fish.
V.D.B.:What is your favourite shop on the island?
F.F.: There are lots of interesting small independent shops across the Island but my favourite Island ‘shop’ is Living Larder – an organic, seasonal, fruit and veg delivery service. We‘ve been using them for a number of years now and they provide us with weekly, mainly locally grown, delicious fresh produce. They are part of the pattern to our week and I couldn’t do without them!
V.D.B.: For you, “life on the Isle of Wight is …”
F.F.: For me, life on the isle of wight is… about feeling good about life. There’s a vibrant and growing cultural sector that is putting the Isle of Wight on the national map and I’m very proud to be part of that.
V.D.B.:Finally, because it’s always nice to share something we love, do you have a book, a film, a series, a music album, a work of art to recommend?
F.F.: Anything by Barnett Newman will make my heart flutter. Never turn down an opportunity to walk into a gallery – even if you don’t’ think it’ll be for you there will be something that you will be surprised and intrigued by. Maggie O’Farrell’s novel Hamnet was a real stand out read for me this last year – deeply emotional and wonderfully well written. I’ve always really liked the band Daughter all their albums are so beautifully crafted.
For more information on Fran Farrar, please visit her Website and follow her on Facebook and Instagram.
She willl also be part of the Cowes Open Studio 2023 July 14th, 15th, 16th.
For more information on Vincent Dupont-Blackshaw, please visit his Portfolio or find him on Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn