Mostly inspired by storytelling, Ingrid’s work combines the magical scenery and ever-changing seasonal colours bestowed around her studio in Upper Dovedale, a most beautiful part of the Peak District in which she lives and works. She also draws on inspiration from her Swedish roots, enhanced by regular journeys back home.
As a versatile mixed media artist, Ingrid believes art should tell a meaningful story to the beholder. Her narrative style of work is very much based on encapsulating her own personal memories and experiences, yet illustrated in a way that can be interpreted individually by the viewer. This is evident in her work ‘A Magic Night at the Opera’, the result of a commission by Buxton Festival to design the front cover of the 2012 festival programme.
Utilising an approach that creates rich, colourful textures developed from recycled paper-based materials, or stitched in fabric and fibre, some of Ingrid’s favoured techniques include collage, mono-printing and crystalline water colour enhancing the work with a luminous quality. The result is a three dimensional, visual representation attempting to evoke thought.
As well as welcoming commissions and running demonstrations and talks either in her studio or at chosen locations, Ingrid also runs a very popular workshop programme throughout the year.
The workshops - which are tailor-made to suit a range of levels and experience - from beginners to improvers and advanced learners, focus on a broad range of specific subjects. From examining ways in which unfinished artwork can be recycled and transformed into new work, to experimenting with new techniques and materials, each session enables delegates to create their own individual mixed media masterpieces.
Ingrid also supports many working professionals requiring creative continuous development. The formats of her workshops are flexible, from singular sessions for art or craft guilds, a series of themed workshops for community groups, through to longer contracts for e.g. Art in Health organisations. Whilst being one of the resident artists at the Gallery in the Gardens at Buxton’s Pavilions, Ingrid is also a member of the prestigious Peak District Artisans exhibiting at the award-winning annual Great Dome Art Fair, part of the Buxton Festival Fringe.
Ingrid also exhibits her work at selected galleries in and around the Peak District. As well as examples of Ingrid’s work, you can also find details of her exhibitions and workshops on her website www.ingrid-karlsson-kemp.co.uk
Ingrid’s Landmark, Legends and Legacies project captures some of the Peak District’s ancient tales and fascinating legends - often connected with features of the landscape. For example, Eagle Stone on Baslow Edge which had to be climbed by young men in the area to prove their fitness for marriage, whilst the Nine Ladies stone circle on Stanton Moor is an ancient monument from Middle Bronze Age times. Mermaid's Pool (or Blackemere) on Morridge Moor, is bottomless and supposedly the home of a mermaid. These are just some of the pieces currently on display at The Smithy Studio in Glossop until 11th October.