Interview with Georgie Moore

Earlier this month, I sat down with my friend and fellow Artwey member, Georgie Moore at Dorchester’s Coffee #1 for a chat about her art. Georgie is a printmaker specialising in linocuts and has found her flow “creating empowering images of fictitious black women”. It’s easy to feel at ease in Georgie’s presence. She’s both upbeat and down-to-earth, and seems to have a natural inclination for empathy and lifting those around her.

The more I hear Georgie talk about her work, the more I understand it to be a natural, even inevitable extension of her personality. Her current series of work could be described as a form of gentle activism, assertive without being confrontational, realistic yet optimistic.

So Georgie, can you tell me about your work and what inspires you?

Since 2020, I’ve been creating empowering images of fictitious black women and I want to continue exploring this theme. As a woman of colour, I’ve encountered racism both personally and seen it happen in the world around me. A few pivotal events in recent times have truly struck me and I’ve felt compelled to speak out. Growing up, images like the ones I’m making, weren’t available to me — I want to change that. I aim to create artwork that counters and challenges racial prejudice and discrimination, but I want to do this in a way that uplifts and spreads joy. I’m a very positive person and I’ve always been an optimist. Sometimes I’ve been asked if I’ll make edgier work, more raw or sharper, but I prefer my work to bring joy. I’m a hugger. I want my work to be like hugs!

It’s great to find a subject that really allows you to explore and grow, both artistically and intellectually. How did it all begin?

My first print on this subject, ’Gloria’, was created following the murder of George Floyd, which took place in Minneapolis in 2020. The event was a catalyst for me. As a black woman, I felt compelled to share my truth and speak out. They say you should “write what you know”, don’t they? Well, my women might be fictitious but each character explores a facet of my own identity.

Gloria, 2020
 

At the time, I’d been inspired by another printmaker who I follow on Instagram called John Pedder (@johnapedder) who had come up with a charity postcard project called “1/Many”. Each artist makes a postcard-sized piece of work which is given free of charge to a recipient who pays its perceived value forward to a charity of their choosing. Gloria was my contribution to this project. I’ve always wanted to impart love and joy through my prints. So Gloria went out into the world in postcard form and I hope she did just that. 

Following Gloria, Georgie went on to create 'The Gardener’, ‘Belonging’ and ‘Judith’.

The Gardener, 2022

You’ve recently exhibited at the Mall Galleries, right, among other successes? How did that come about?

I submitted ‘The Gardener’ to the ING Discerning Eye Open Call Competition 2022 and found out I’d been shortlisted while visiting my mum in Jamaica! I’d forgotten I’d even entered.

Last year, 2023, I entered ‘Belonging’ and ‘Judith’ and both were accepted. To my complete amazement, ‘Belonging’ sold straight away, before the artists’ Private View. When I arrived the little red dot wasn’t there so I thought the buyer must have changed their mind. But when I went to ask at the front desk, they confirmed it had indeed sold. I was given a red dot to add myself but when I got back someone had added it. I’d never sold a print for that much money before. It blew my mind to think that my artwork had resonated with someone else, to the extent that they would part with such a significant sum of money to buy it. 

To top it off, the Discerning Eye also invites two notable art collectors to be “selectors”, choosing their favourite pieces from among the entries. Tony Adams MBE, ex-footballer and art collector chose both of mine [Belonging and Judith] as part of his selection.

Belonging, 2023

This piece, titled 'Belonging' was in part inspired by an event that made national headlines when a charity CEO, attending an awards event at Buckingham Palace was repeatedly asked “where she came from” by a senior palace official. It made me think about my own identity as an English-born woman with Jamaican parents and how my existence in the country of my birth has been questioned by others.

So Georgie, what are you currently working on?

I’m in the middle of designing a new concept for a print using ProCreate on my iPad. I’ve also got lots of ideas fluttering around in my head, waiting to settle and take form. Last week, not for the first time, a more cohesive image for a final piece actually came to me in a dream! I’m aiming for a series of three prints this year.

 Judith, 2023

Since creating 'Gloria', I’ve been including Adinkra symbols in my work. They are native to the Akan culture in Ghana but have been adopted as African culture in general. Each symbol represents a particular concept, proverb or philosophy… life, love, God. For me, they represent a link to lost ancestry. ‘Judith’ was inspired during time with my sisters and an homage to a family friend with the same name.

It was a pleasure and a privilege to chat with Georgie about her art. If you would like to see Georgie's artwork in person and have the opportunity to meet her, she will be exhibiting with Artwey during Dorset Art Weeks at the Royal Manor Theatre on Portland.