Mon, 03/04/2023 - 12:25
Orla Toland is an artist who specialises in printmaking, drawing, and illustration. She graduated from the University of the Arts London with a BA (Hons) Degree in Fine Art.
Orla has been an avid drawer since her early childhood. Nowadays, she sees her work as a by-product of her creativity and methodology. Like many artists, she understands and communicates with the world through creative formats. Therefore, she finds it essential to constantly be making things and in the creative state of flow. She shares "it excites me to see my work live in a place that no longer belongs to me - to take an alternate home and meaning.” So, she began exhibiting her work and selling it online and at print fairs. She felt inspired by others enjoying her art, embedding a belief in herself that she could be a professional artist.
She has decided to join Banks Mill Studios as it will allow her time and space to create work that matters to her. Orla looks forward to having a physical location that she has to be accountable for. The studio’s community spirt is highly appealing for Orla and she looks forward to joining an inspiring work environment.
Orla spends her time working at QUAD. This creative environment exposes her to a variety of art mediums, such as film, installation, photography and more. She is also part of a collective with Backlit Gallery in Nottingham. She explains “I have helped out at events such as Hockley Hustle and focused on the more participatory side of the arts.” She regularly attended print fairs, where she has gained experience from being a seller.
Currently, she is busy creating work for the Good Market Print Fair in Liverpool. She explains “I’ve been working with the imagery of the sacred heart and have been achieving this through linocut.” She is ambitious and is keen to explore new projects and continue her interest in semiotics.
She would describe herself as a ‘multidisciplinary artist ranging from installation to writing.’ However, she mainly works with printmaking, drawing, and painting. Orla uses a variety of printmaking techniques, including lino, screen, and mono printing. Occasionally, she adds further details to work using oil pastels.
In the next twelve months, Orla is keen to grow her business by attending more print fairs where she can network and highlight her artistic talents. She is also interested in participating in more exhibitions.