Anne Desmet RA specialises in wood engravings, linocuts and mixed media collages, which are laid over fragments of found materials including glass, mirror, shell or slate which have been collected over years. The focus of her work shifts between Italy and London. Her subject matter pulls in two directions: one is essentially topographical, yet subject to metamorphoses; the other is concerned with intuitive architectural fantasies, urban myths and histories of urban destruction and regeneration. She aims to suggest the sense of timelessness and solidity that buildings can convey, as well as their impermanence and vulnerability. Although intimate in scale, her work is epic in scope.
Anne has had three major museum retrospectives to date, received over 30 international awards, and her work is in museum collections and publications worldwide. Anne was elected a Member of the Royal Academy of Arts, London in May 2011. For 15 years, she was editor of Printmaking Today magazine and is the author/editor of three printmaking books. Anne lives and works in London.