400th PRINT ABIGAIL RORER

Abigail Rorer
Dulwich College
Corian engraving, 2019
190 × 130mm
Abigail is a wood engraver, etcher, and practitioner of the art of silverpoint, as well as the proprietor of The Lone Oak Press. In addition to black and white images many of her engravings are multi-block printed colour with some hand colouring that reveal a passionate interest in the natural world. Her award-winning books and prints are seen in exhibitions and collections across North America and the UK. The Lone Oak Press was established in 1989 to publish limited edition, fine press books and broadsides printed with letterpress and illustrated with her work. She lives on a farm in central Massachusetts in the US.
Statement
The engraving I created for Dulwich's 400th anniversary is a compilation of important images and icons relating to the College's history. I was unable to visit Dulwich to get first-hand inspiration but was kindly sent a number of books and images to use as reference material. Becoming familiar with the fascinating history of the College and the important and influential former pupils and teachers inspired me to try to create a visual history of the people and students that are the College. I honoured Thomas Sturge Moore by putting his portrait in the centre of the engraving and having decorative elements taken from some of his engravings in the surrounding frame. The founder, Edward Alleyn, is also represented with his portrait and his statue as 'Barabas' from the Marlowe Memorial at Canterbury keeping a watchful eye on past and present students to ensure that his legacy will endure.