Karen Stamper

Growing up on the east coast of Yorkshire as a happy beachcomber I was attracted to paint-peeling wooden boats, gaudy plastic scraps and brightly coloured fishing floats. As a child I was free to wander, explore and collect. It is these boatyard memories that have become my subject and endless inspiration

At Art College I was immediately draw to the dense flat colours of silk screen printing, for which I received a commendation. It was on a travel scholarship that I saw Matisse’s cut-outs for the first time; it was the scale of his work, the intensity, the pin holes, crease lines and torn edges that fired my imagination. 

Whilst secondary school teaching I developed my collage work. I combine found papers with layers of painted paper and water-based paint to create an integrated surface.This is constructed and deconstructed many times; scratched, sanded, repainted, recut, until a patchwork of urban marks and worn surfaces bond together. As this collage work has developed it has become increasingly physical, moving from paper to wooden panels. 

I am based in Cambridge UK. I have exhibited with with ING Discerning Eye, Bankside Gallery,The Society of Women Artists (twice winning Body of Work Prize). Contemporary Collage Magazine prize winner 2023.

Website: www.karenstampercollage.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/karen_stamper_collage/