Artists directory

Portia

Knight

Disciplines: Printmaking

Location: Gardenstown

Materials: Etching
I am a printmaker working with foraged materials to create images that reframe conventional views of seaweed and challenge the traditional aesthetics of nature printing. Currently, I am focused on a series of cameraless polymer photogravure etchings using seaweed Alaria esculenta, locally known as Dabberlocks. This modern printmaking technique enhances the graphic qualities that I am instinctively drawn to in my work. I select spiralled forms that, though naturally occurring, are atypical for this species. These hard-won specimens are both visually compelling subjects and emotionally resonant objects to me. My work is a thoughtful response to past practices, my immediate environment, and the raw resources it offers. Our home on the North East coast of Scotland is where my interest in seaweed grew from studying Victorian seaweed pressing and daily walks along the tideline. The complex array of colour, texture, and form found in seaweed is a constant revelation and source of inspiration. While I draw from historic examples of nature printing, my process is largely driven by the unique qualities of the materials I encounter. Each print represents my ongoing exploration of printmaking techniques, aiming to effectively capture the distinctive traits of each seaweed species in my own style.

Previous Experience

2025 IRONBRIDGE PRINTMAKING COMPETITION AND EXHIBITION, Ironbridge Fine Arts, Ironbridge 2025 SEA TO SOIL, Joint exhibition with Justine Ritchie, The Ceilidh Place Bookshop, Ullapool 2025 MEMBERS SHOW, An Talla Solais, Ullapool 2025 RISING TIDE, Scottish Fisheries Museum, Anstruther 2025 ATELIER BESIDE THE SEA OPEN EXHIBTION, Atelier Beside The Sea, Brighton 2025 ROYAL ACADEMY SUMMER EXHIBITION, Royal Academy, London 2025 THE PRINTMAKERS 25, Milton Art Gallery, Banchory 2024 TIME AND TIDE, Solo Exhibition, Emerald Frames and Gallery, Chalfont St Peter 2024 IRONBRIDGE PRINTMAKING COMPETITION AND EXHIBITION, Ironbridge Fine Arts, Ironbridge 2024 MEMBERS SHOW, An Talla Solais, Ullapool 2024 ULAIDLEAN/TREASURES, Society of Scottish Artists at Gairloch Museum, Gairloch 2024 PRESS GANG, Printmakers Open Exhibition, An Talla Solais, Ullapool

Collections

Not yet a member?

We are committed as a society to supporting and exhibiting a diverse range of contemporary Scottish art, in a wide variety of media – including drawing, painting, printmaking, textiles, photography, jewellery, ceramics and sculpture.

View our membership packages for more information and to sign-up.

Migrate to Stripe

Visual Arts Scotland memberships are now processed through Stripe. If you have been paying by bank transfer or PayPal we request that you switch your subscription to our new system to ensure continuity of membership.

Your card will not be charged until the renewal date of your membership.