Sharon Bruster and Sarah Pooley

Sharon Bruster and Sarah Pooley's collaboration began early in 2023. Artist friends, inspired by the Cornish coastline, they take inspiration from beach walks, rock-pooling and gathering.

Each artist has her individual creative practice. There is a shared love of colour and expressive mark making – in paint or ink, stitch or print. A fascination with surface, and close-up details of colour, shape, line and texture are evident in both artist’s work.

This collaborative work starts with observation – beach walks, photography, sketching, gathering, writing all play their part. Each artist begins several pieces of work, on canvas, fabric or paper and sends them to the other to respond to. The response, in stitch or paint, collage or print adds to, alters or takes away from the previous layers of work. Pieces travel back and forth between the two artists’ studios with no rush towards completion. Work is deconstructed and reconstructed in new assemblages. The images are allowed to emerge in their own good time.

The resulting works, whilst clearly referencing each artist are also something new. They are the sum of shared inspirations, memories and experiences, different creative practices and tell a story of friendship, collaboration and connection with our coastal landscape.