Hand pulled woodcut print on Mulbery paper

Edition of 10

Paper: 500mm x 700mm

Image: 395mm x 600mm

A play of texture, shadow and light captures the New Zealand native bush in an evocative and inviting way, creating a sense of familiarity, as though the viewer has been there before. The work conveys stillness, discovery and the joy of recognition. Lush, abundant foliage extends beyond the frame, enhancing the sense of being immersed in nature. Bright and Beautiful won the People’s Choice Award at the Waiprint 2024 exhibition.

Renée Marjolein has a Bachelor of Visual Arts, majoring in Printmaking. Her woodcut prints are inspired by the landscapes of Aotearoa, exploring a sense of place, stillness and the quiet familiarity of memory. Through bold graphic marks, simplified shapes and rhythmic patterns, she captures the textures, light and details of the natural world, reducing colour, texture and shade to create form and a pleasing rhythm within each composition.

Inspired by everything from roadside plantings to the varied textures of foliage, as well as places discovered on walks and holidays, Renée embraces the slow, meditative process of woodcut printmaking and the delight of seeing each print revealed. Each work is carved, inked and printed by hand, with subtle variations in the process making every woodcut print unique.