Section from Same As It Ever Was Lino-cut by Caroline Macey

Same as it ever was

I must tell you about a very talented artist currently having an exhibition at The Stables. Her name is Caroline Macey and her work is stunningly intricate. You could gaze at it for days and still make new discoveries. HOT’s Zelly Restorick reports.

Zombie Lino-cut by Caroline Macey

I met Caroline Macey 2-3 years ago at her studio upstairs at Ore Community Centre and was immediately mesmerised by the huge print on her easel, detailing intricately interwoven figures telling the observer a visual story about the relationships and chains linking drugs and humans. Wandering around her studio, looking at her life drawing, still life and anatomy sketches on the walls, I knew that I had encountered a highly talented artist.

Mothers and Daughters (2) Lino-cut by Caroline Macey

Yesterday, in the same studio, echoing previous visits, I found myself captivated by an amazing circular print about families: love, links, connections, chains, the cyclical nature of our relationships. The work is clearly so painstakingly created, requiring so much patience and perseverance. Her studies of entangled humanity – our various challenges and struggles, our connections and inter-minglings with our environment – leave me with my mouth hanging open in awe that such labyrinthine, impactful pieces of artwork could be created by a single – very skilled – human-hand.

Complete image of Same As It Ever Was Lino-cut by Caroline Macey

“I never plan my work”, says Caroline, “but prefer to let it flow from mind straight onto lino and enjoy the surprise and alchemy of the print making process.”

I urge you to visit The Stables to see Caroline’s work, close up and personal. You have only a few days left, as it closes on Saturday May 23rd, when the artist herself will be there, between roughly 11am and 2pm.

Alongside Caroline’s work are sculptures by her husband, Kevin Wreford, (which I haven’t seen, so am unable to tell you anything about), but their artistry inter-connects and, they both agreed, “works very well alongside one another”.

Same As It Ever Was

The Stables Theatre Art Gallery presents an exhibition by print-maker, Caroline Macey and sculptor, Kevin Wreford.

The Bourne, Hastings, TN34 3BD Tel: 01424 423221

Open Monday to Friday 10.30am – 2.00pm and 6 – 8pm, Saturday 10.30am – 2pm and prior to performances.

Also in: Visual Arts