Peter Knapp

Artist Statement

Artist Statement - January 2026

My work exists on what I call a "bridge of continuity," a conceptual space where I seek a precarious balance between the structured and the spontaneous. This exploration is deeply rooted in my history with woodcut printmaking, yet it has evolved into a complex mixed-media process that integrates painting, drawing, and woodcut imagery to challenge the boundaries of the medium.

Influenced by the expressive, visceral textures of artists like Hyman Bloom, I am drawn to the tension between the physical world, humanity’s place in it, and the internal landscape. My process is one of “controlled chaos”—thriving on imagination, instinct, and a deliberate embrace of risk-taking. Each piece begins with a foundation of formal structure, which I then systematically break down through layers of additive and subtractive marks. This "rupturing" of the image is not an act of destruction, but one of revelation, allowing me to uncover a deeper, more resonant truth beneath the surface.

In my Sunderland studio, experimentation is the primary driver. By merging the graphic precision of the woodcut aesthetic with the fluid spontaneity of paint, I create works that feel both ancient and contemporary. I am interested in how memory and health—the fragility of the human experience—can be translated into visual form.
Ultimately, my practice is a search for the "bridge between worlds." Whether exploring the conceptual weight of a silhouette or the energetic vibration of a color field, I am dedicated to an evolving practice that enriches the physical and emotional boundaries of contemporary mixed media. My goal is to invite the viewer into this transitional space, where the familiar meets the abstract and the structured finds its release.