Annette Dall'Oglio
Painter and Printmaker
WHY EDINBURGH?
Since moving unexpectedly to Edinburgh in 2022 I have been trying to understand what it was that brought me here. There have been periods of very dark days as well as elation and fun, interspersed with lonely times when I had time to return to reading Jung, to meditate, and to search for the diamond within. I had chosen to live in a home that had spectacular views of the Firth of Forth, which had been much of the attraction of moving to an unfamiliar city. The sea and the sky are always around me. They have influenced my imagery, as have the external events and the people with whom I have had serendipitous meetings over the last three years.
A SENSE OF PLACE
I returned to printmaking at Leith School of Art following the upheaval of a sudden unexpected move to Edinburgh and the ensuing dramatic fall-out of settling into a new city in a new country. The overarching theme of the School in 2024 was "A Sense of Place", a theme I found very appropriate for my circumstances. The six Antony Gormley figures here in Edinburgh were my inspiration, five of which are installed in or on water. For me they were a metaphor for the deep water I had thrown myself into, as well as an expression of loneliness. The addition of extra figures as time went on were symbolic of the serendipitous meetings I had and the gradual establishing of new friendships.
BOTANICAL PRINTS
Among the new skills I've acquired since moving to Edinburgh is hand printing. Using a gel plate with foraged foliage, I've discovered the joy of making these delightful little prints. By working intuitively and spontaneously I've been able to indulge my passion for fluorescent colours, have fun with metallics, and experiment with more adventurous colour mixes.
