Rona Green | Cola nights | 2022 | hand coloured linocut | 49 x 72 cm | edition of 23

The images of peculiar persons I create delve into the nature of individuality – thoughts about persona, transformation and the absurd. There is a specific interest in how identity is expressed via the body; physical appearance and its capacity for alteration; the skin and its potential to be a site for reinvention – how the body can be a vehicle for communication. This manifests through the use of transformative devices, particularly anthropomorphism and body decoration, which catalyse the conjuring of uniqueness.

Engaging with the animal as a motif is rich in nuance, offering a wealth of possibilities for interpretation. A formative experience was encountering Egyptian art – in particular representations of theriocephaly – and a childhood love of cartoons and comics centred on anthropomorphic characters has significantly influenced my visual expression.

Use of tattoo as a motif is driven by its ability to suggest a story – it can convey information about origin, affiliation, status and proclivities. As a form of communication, tattooing has the power to transcend language barriers. Tattoos can speak to, or be read by, anyone on some level, making them a compelling tool for transmitting ideas.

Printmaking is a captivating medium, and for the past twenty years, I’ve specialised in making hand coloured linocut prints. As a reductive process, linocut technique is conducive with my inclination to want to pare things back to what is essential. The editioned linocuts are printed with intense black ink and then hand coloured using water-based media, resulting in a sense of sameness juxtaposed with subtle variation, which is conceptually appealing.

When my pictures are on exhibition, all going well, they will evoke a sense of connection, perhaps sparking an unspoken dialogue between the viewer and the subjects portrayed.