Olivia Clifton-Bligh

Olivia Clifton-Bligh is a sculptor and printmaker. Her work integrates closely observed botanical and zoological studies with the rich metaphorical language of Britain’s narrative traditions. Her ‘Tree Speaker’ series illustrates the 13 lunar months from the ancient Ogham tradition which brings together native tree lore with poetic and allegorical detail.

Olivia specialises in lino- and woodcut techniques. Working from her original drawings, each board is carved by hand, with one board printed on top of another to build up the finished image. She presses each print by hand using unusual burnishing techniques to transfer densely pigmented oil- based ink onto heavy weight cotton paper. Olivia has developed her own burnishing tools, adjusting the size, texture and shape for each printing task, using smooth stone ‘celts’ (axe heads), hand carved wooden rounds, beach cobbles, and polished bone blades. This printing technique requires patience and physical effort, so each print within a series is pressed and finished individually. In this way, each print within the limited edition is unique, with deliberate variations in palette and texture and finished with embellished details, illuminated by hand using gold leaf and shellac varnish.

Olivia Clifton-Bligh trained at Goldsmiths’ College (1990-93) and is a member of the Royal Society of Sculptors.