Tucked away in the outskirts of Guildford is a unique print studio that has a remarkable impact on the community. Helen Locke, the studio’s Artist in Residence last year, has documented the daily life of Ochre Print Studio, from workshops for people with disabilities to the screen stretching process of Ochre’s partner AD Colour.

Ochre provides community workshops for disability groups across the county. Artists can pay a monthly fee and use the printmaking facilities, store their work and make the most of specialist courses in everything from non-toxic etching to lino cutting and letterpress.

Ochre has four Open Access sessions a week for members, two of which are supported by the Artist in Residence scheme, where two artists submit a proposal for the chance to spend a year using the studio to develop their work in print.

Helen’s idea puts a spotlight on all that the studio has to offer: the tools of the printmaker; the sponsors (AD Colour) who repair the silk screens; artists who make up the teaching team; disability groups who use the print facilities; visiting and resident artists.

The unifying element of all activities at Ochre involve putting on an apron, and having worked primarily in the textile department of Alton College as a technician, Helen uses innovative methods to transfer expressive marks and documentary drawings onto different fabrics. Her first apron illustrates the Ochre Print Able group and combines colourful mark making using heat transfer paints, alongside screen printed drawings onto thick neoprene fabric.

The exhibition at the Lightbox re-creates the feel of Ochre studio, where you can get comfortable and browse Helen’s sketchbook from the year. Explore textile art pieces and large scale prints celebrating Ochre and the people who use it, in A Year at Ochre, on display in the Art Fund Prize Gallery until Sunday 3 March 2019.

Helen’s artwork is available to purchase, and visitors will be delighted to find more of her colourful creations in The Lightbox Shop at very affordable prices.