Zoë

Zoë is an artist and printmaker who works from her studio in Shrewsbury, Shropshire. Predominately using woodcut, monoprint and gouache paint. Zoe creates pieces using a technique loosely known as Decollage.

Born in London but raised on a remote Shropshire hill, Zoë’s time growing up was spent between her father’s carpenter’s workshop and her mother’s art studio and in between exploring the hills and woods.

Zoë has studied and worked in Bristol, London and Como as a printed textile designer selling designs in Europe, Japan and the USA. Also sold small textile art pieces in galleries in London and Shropshire. Zoe continues to sell at Print fairs around the country.

Zoë also trained and taught art and design in further education, in the community, galleries and in school settings. Education is a crucial part of Zoe’s practice as an artist and she continues to be involved in arts for health and wellbeing and community arts projects.

Ensō

An ensō is a hand drawn circle that is created in a single breath in one brush stroke.

The circle represents a beginning and end, the brush marks symbolising the circle of life: birth, death and rebirth.

It symbolises the beauty of imperfection and the art of letting go in that moment whilst creating.

This zen drawing process was born out of Japanese minimal aesthetics.

This Japanese style has influenced Zoe through spending time over the years with a close Japanese friend.

Zoënsō

Combining Zoë with ensō seemed a fitting name to underpin all that Zoë does in her practice as an artist, designer and educator for several reasons:

Circles have always been a predominant feature of Zoë’s work. The practice of working in the moment and permitting imperfections to influence her work is a common theme throughout her print practice and as an educator inspiring others to embrace mistakes and mishaps and let go.