Mary Dalton is a professional printmaker and arts educator, and the founder of the award winning Washroom Pop-Up Press, which brings printmaking to all. Mary graduated from the Royal College of Art in 2008, after studying a BSc in Architectural Studies at the Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL. Her practice is led by unique, dynamic prints, each one a stand alone, non-editioned artwork. The works tell stories of daily life from an unusual family perspective, each story unique and valuable. Prints will often include a multitude of techniques to express different elements of the tale, from lithography to lino, collage to dry-point. With a special focus on environmental concerns, Mary puts emphasis on techniques that leave a low footprint on the world around us, and thoroughly checks all materials that enter the studio for environmental credentials.
1) Which art movement do you consider most influential on your practice?
Ooh very difficult. I take bits from surrealism quite a bit, but also Art Brut or artists not in the mainstream. So much to learn from out there.
2) Where do you go and when to make your best art?
I make the majority of work from the front room of our two up two down mid terraced house, with the company of two young home educated children. I make art with them integrated into daily life and also in the evening post bedtime for quieter thoughts. But work is most inspirational and energised when incorporating daily life.
3) How do you describe your 'creative process'?
The process is very dynamic and intuitive. I do not keep sketch books, since when I have a moment to make work, then it has to happen dynamically and with conviction. I think a lot in amongst daily domestics and these thoughts translate into the directness of the work, which evolves fluidly until the pieces are singing their own tune. All the prints are unique, celebrating the power of printmaking as an equal and valid form of expression alongside other contemporary art forms.
4) Which artist, living or deceased, is the greatest inspiration to you?
5) If you weren't an artist, what would you do?
Cook glorious food and express through growing and making food.
6) What do you listen to for inspiration?
BBC radio 6 music is the usual standby for awesome eclectic tunes. Mary Anne Hobbs being a favourite.
7) If you could own one artwork, and money was no object, which piece would you acquire?
A puppet from the Bread and Puppet Theatre company. Any one really, probably not one of their huge ones though as I couldn’t fit it in the house.
8) If your dream museum or collection owner came calling, which would it be?
Pitt Rivers museum in Oxford.
9) What is your key piece of advice for artists embarking on a fine art or creative degree today?
Make and express what and when you want and through whatever medium you can. If this means working as waiting staff for years, embrace that, so that the lure of making millions does not govern or dictate your expression. Always have fun and question yourself continually. Art and human expression is serious, we can thankfully express freely in our country without the risk of imprisonment or worse. That is to be celebrated and enjoy every second of making.
10) What is your favorite book of all time (fiction or non fiction)?
Happy by Emma Dodd. A children’s book I read a huge amount of with our two.
11) If you could hang or place your artwork in one non traditional art setting, where would that be?
A train station.
12) What was the biggest lesson your university course or time studying taught you?
Always, always respect and get to know the technicians. They are masters in their field and some truly generous and amazing humans.
13) And finally, if we were to fast forward 10 years, where would we find you?
Teaching and developing Printmaking, drawing getting ink everywhere and hopefully in a studio where I can allow people to visit. I’ll probably be cooking a Malaysian street food dish for everyone and playing a silly game. But I would hope our family is around and laughing.
Learn more about Mary and discover her collection of artworks.
