Graeme Black’s creative practice, rooted in the serene landscapes of Yorkshire, has long been centred on large-scale oil paintings inspired by the surrounding woodlands of his home in the Yorkshire Dales. His studio, set in a converted 18th-century cow barn, offers the perfect space to explore the vast beauty of this rugged countryside. However, the cold, dark winters of the Dales prompted Graeme to seek warmer, brighter climates, leading him to South Africa’s Western Cape. In 2023, he spent several months living and working on Kommetjie Beach near the Cape of Good Hope, where the challenges of working with oils abroad inspired him to explore a new medium: coloured inks on paper.

The "Good Hope" series emerged from Graeme’s desire to work quickly and capture the essence of the vibrant South African landscape. Experimenting with inks allowed him to embrace the vivid colours and dynamic forms of the local flora, from towering pines to fire-scorched eucalyptus. Working en plein air and in a makeshift studio, Graeme found freedom in the fast-drying, portable medium, which translated the remarkable light and textures of the Cape into a fresh, expressive style. The resulting collection, exhibited at the Connolly gallery, celebrates the strength, colour, and vitality of the African landscape that has profoundly influenced his work.