Record of Rain

‘Record of Rain’ is a collaboration between local print artist Lauren Smith and Illustrator Thee Oo Thazin from Myanmar.

In January, Lauren and Thee Oo were awarded a grant by the British Council’s ‘Connection Through Culture’ grants programme designed to nurture cultural partnerships between East Asia and the UK. Their project explores the changing rain patterns of Myanmar and the UK, drawing inspiration from historical poems and traditional weather lore. Through a series of prints on handmade paper it aims to illustrate these changing patterns and to foster dialogue on the impacts of climate change and cultural connections.

Thee Oo, who celebrated her first solo exhibition in 2022 has a warm and expansive illustration style which has been noted for its increasing popularity among the young people of Yangon. As a hand paper maker Lauren is directly connected to the raw materials nature provides and views her work as a collaboration with the living world. The paper she has made for this project includes plant fibres and locally sourced reclaimed rags while the sheets were formed using a rainwater vat. Lauren has printed Thee Oo’s illustrations on her 19th century, treadle operated printing press. The paper is meticulously hand fed one sheet at a time, into the press. The pressure of the plate combined with her pillowy handmade paper leaves a tactile ‘fossil-like’ impression.

Open Thurs – Sat 11am – 4pm