OF HARES AND HOPE: AN ARTIST COLLABORATION

 

Mark Harris and Sarah Pavlik discussed a possible collaboration in early 2025  believing that they would be challenged to expand the scope of their work to include insights from each other.  Neither had a clear idea as to what collaboration would entail, but both were willing to explore the possibilities together.  This experience  was aided by acquiring adjoining studio spaces in the Lewes Post Office and the sharing of ideas, techniques, critique and encouragement became a daily practice.

 

The “Of Hares and Hope” exhibition includes threads of the creative interchange between the two artists. The graphic symbol for this interchange is the Hare, first created by Pavlik. Each iteration brought new printmaking, painting and fiber art skills into play.  The hare itself became a symbol of hope. Hope continues to be a theme in their work.

 

The collaboration has taken many forms. Rarely do Mark and Sarah work “together” but rather they work with the influence of the other’s practice.  At times they riff on each other’s work.  Works in this exhibition reflect the elements of this collaboration. 

 

Most recently, Sarah has made a series of large works taken from patterns in sidewalks in Puebla, Mexico.  She titled the series, “Where we Walk.”  Mark subsequently wrote a poem, printing it on one of those pieces. He made linocuts of creatures mentioned in the poem, and from that Sarah painted “The Unquiet Mouse,” a large stitched and painted piece, embedded with Mark’s prints.  

 

Mark began to use fabric as a unique  printing surface.  He created “Catastrophic  Decade” incorporating linocut images of the last ten years, printed on a 30 foot long series of painted fabrics by Sarah.

 

The collaboration continues, open and fluid, they remain companions on their artistic journey. 

 

This exhibit represents work completed from April 2025-August 2026. 

 

 

Image: Free to Be, fiber and printmaking, Mark Harris’ linocuts printed on Sarah Pavlik’s pigment painted cotton/linen fabric. Each portrait was cut and reassembled, pieced, and quilted by Sarah. 43″ x 41″