A new exhibition at Chester’s Grosvenor Museum explores artist Frances Disley’s fascination with how different techniques can transform an artist’s work.

‘Frances Disley: Metamorphosis’ opened on Saturday, April 25, and runs until July 19.

Born in Warrington and now based in Liverpool, Frances creates her own work, organises exhibitions, runs the Bluecoat Print Studio, and lectures in fine art at Liverpool Hope University.

With a background in printmaking, she has always been excited by how different techniques can transform an artist’s work. This exhibition brings together examples of her work created over the past decade, charting her fascination with process and colour.

Frances said: “My earlier works focus on my interest in misrepresentations of youth and my attempt to present imagery of young people that challenges this through the use of historical references and traditional techniques.

“In my large scale multi-layered allegorical linocuts, which explore the exciting yet terrifying transition from childhood to adulthood, I have been inspired by the work of the poet and painter William Blake and by Old Master paintings.

“My more recent works play with notions of process and transformation, taking crude colourful sculptures and reworking them via photography and painting. For me, both bodies of work speak of process and transformation and how artists can reframe and present ideas in a different way.”

Frances has also selected works from the Grosvenor Museum’s collection of modern prints. Wood engravings for ‘The Chester Play of the Deluge’ by David Jones combine narrative and symbolism in a way that parallels her allegorical works.

Colourful prints by Ian Davenport, Richard Woods, Kip Gresham and Patrick Heron complement her more abstract pieces.

Frances has a BA in fine art printmaking from the University of Wolverhampton and a MA in fine art from the Royal College of Art in London. She has shown in numerous exhibitions in Great Britain, the USA, Germany and Poland, and has curated several shows.

She has also been a visiting lecturer at universities and colleges and has held a number of residencies, including two in Paris. The programme of accompanying events is supported by the Grosvenor Museum Society.

Saturday, May 2, Exhibition Launch: Frances Disley demonstrates the intricacies of making a linocut, and then you can try your hand at printing one.

Wednesday, May 13, The Hidden Persuaders: A New Look at Contemporary Art, lecture by Adrian Sumner.

Wednesday, May 27, Make an Art Installation with Frances Disley: Family activity using collage and print techniques.

Saturday, July 4: Frances Disley gives a guided tour of her exhibition.

The Grosvenor Museum is open Monday-Saturday 10.30am-5pm and Sunday 1-4pm, admission free.