Margaret makes works based on her own photographs of dancers and from other sources. Lately she has made work from video footage. Recent work is strong with physicality and a visceral sense of movement. She continues to use a muted palette.
Some works are deliberately low resolution, and a painterly style is achieved by blending several colours of ink on the etching plates when inking up. This style adds to the sense of movement and flow within each piece.
An Oxford graduate with an MA in Physics from Somerville College, Ashman's practice is deeply rooted in the photographic image, often featuring studies of deaf individuals signing. Her series "A Time for Everything," created from photo shoots with Japanese choreographer Chisato Minamimura, exemplifies her ability to capture the intersection of dance and visual art.
Her work has been showcased in numerous prestigious exhibitions, including the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, the London Original Print Fair, and the Hepworth Wakefield Print Fair.
Notable solo shows include "Breaking Bread" at the Swiss Church in London and "A Time to Measure" at Happenstance Gallery. Ashman's contributions to the field have been recognised with awards such as the Flourish Award and the Chaiya Art Awards.
Artist Statement
The dancers depicted are performing to worship songs; their gestures are full of emotion and passion. Margaret often chooses Japanese titles for her works, for the richness of meaning and the sound that the words make. For example Ogamu means pray, adore, venerate; Nayami means agony or anguish. Naku means cry or sing.
I strive for a spiritual elegance and simplicity in my finished works, in contrast to the lengthy, complicated process of making. Sometimes a poem or phrase or idea is given to the dancer as a starting point, from which the work evolves. Further layers add new constructs until the etching process translates the final image into a coherent whole, with rich textures and delicate colour combinations.
