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Barnet College   2006/2007

Richard Henry

My work is concerned with geometric symbolism and the interplay of two dimensional pattern and three dimensional form. I have worked in a range of media including painting, ceramics, graphics and print as well as larger scale temporary structures in bamboo.

I draw inspiration from sacred geometry and within my own practice regularly employ principles from Islamic patterns, for their numinous and symbolic qualities. I am particularly interested in how abstract geometric work can achieve a meditative quality whether in a painting or within an architectural space.

Recent commissions have included a number of illustrations for Miranda Lundy’s ‘Sacred Number’, a book about the history and symbolism of number, which I co-edited, and the development of a practical course exploring the geometry of Persian patterns for the British Museum’s World Arts and Artefacts programme.

During the AA2A programme I have experimented with relief printing to develop a new range of mono-prints. Some of these are complete as works in themselves, whilst others I have continued to work on by hand and have formed the basis of new mixed media works.

Much of my current work has been inspired by a recent field study in Iran and I am currently working towards an exhibition of new work in print and mixed media before the end of 2007. This period of investigation and experimentation has been crucial in the development of this work.