Ian Mitchell (York, England)
Posted by Rachel Day on 9th May 2013
Words by Rachel Day
Described on his website as "A unique delineation of the landscape based on a stripped down reality," Ian Mitchell's minimalist prints exemplify effective simplicity. His prints offer a casual nod at the structure and carefully depicted natural grace of topographic maps; blocks of color and geometric lines that mingle naturally with organic, voluptuous curves in spectacular medleys of movement. For those who know the British countryside, the power of Mitchell's work comes from his ability to capture weather or light patterns particular to that unique terrain. Dull colors characteristic of cloudy days on the moors inspire a slight shiver down the spine. One carefully placed block of bright accent color causes our eyes to squint from the sun. A smooth stretch of road calls to a lazy weekend drive with the windows down and a cool, crisp breeze flowing between outstretched fingers. Mitchell explains that his limited-edition landscape series was created in remembrance of 20th century travel posters of the British countryside, which certainly explains why his prints spark a desire to leave all belongings behind and trek into nature. In his prints, if a small country house is in view in the distance, or a towering lighthouse sprayed with sea foam is in stark focus, there still lingers a feeling of isolation and an invitation to explore that appeals to our adventurous side. In the end it beckons to us, asking us to look deeper into past horizons to see what we can find. What would we find in the layers of fog that rolls through the mountains in the distance, or how deep would our toes sink into the sand by the ocean? His careful choice of color and line give his prints depth that is worthy of pause.
