In 2015 we celebrated 15 Years of being open to the public. Through a year-long programme of events we commemorated our achievements over the past fifteen years by engaging with all the dimensions that make up our unique organisation. We worked with schools, young creators, the local community, the public, invited artists and our member artists to facilitate printmaking.
Our final exhibition of the year opened for a month on 24 November at the Arts Wing, Grand Theatre, Swansea. The exhibition featured work created throughout 2015 and was a celebration of original prints. The Private View saw the first showing of a special collaborative artists’ book – over 3 metres in length – and the launch of an anniversary publication.
The publication collects work from 50 Artists associated with the Workshop since 2000. Their work expresses what we believe: printmaking is inventive and individual; printmaking creates original, interesting and engaging visual art. It showcases the best of what we do.
Beautifully designed by Ridler Webster, the bi-lingual publication contains 60 pages with full page illustrations. The artists have not only contributed their work but also given us an insight into their process and what printmaking means to them.
Printing is playtime. James Donovan | I am engrossed by the alchemy and unexpected nature of print. Ros Ford | J.S. Bach said that music, or art, are for the ‘glory of God’ and the ‘refreshment of the spirit’. Or, to quote the engraver Anne Desmet, I hope to make something that ‘makes the heart sing’. In the end that’s what matters. Sally Hands | The painstaking, patient activity of printmaking takes me into the spiritual dimension of my inner self. Aleem Dad Khan | I am intrigued by the interaction of sculpted metal, fluid ink, and fragile paper in the making of a print. Aoife Layton | What I love about printmaking is its capacity to surprise. The process takes over. Things happen. I am always curious to see how my work on a metal plate will translate onto paper. Sometimes it’s magical. Sometimes it’s a disaster. Robert Macdonald
CLICK HERE for a taste of our Anniversary Publication. It is available to purchase at £9.95 plus p&p. Please email your order to mail@swanseaprintworkshop.org.uk
Visit our dedicated blog to read more about the activities and events that took place over the year.
This project took place in 2015 and was made possible through funding from the Arts Council of Wales. Our whole-hearted thanks to everyone who contributed such fantastic letters of support for our project.