A conceptual approach brought a new perspective to printmaking practice for our members and our freelance artists working in the community and educational establishments. The project supported new approaches to documentation and production with a dedicated blog, artist books and an upgrade of our exhibition space widening our exhibition capacity.
SPW aims to not only pass on traditional skills in printmaking but to keep abreast of new techniques and developments within the art form. This project was conceived to work with a printmaker who could lead the organisation in new perspectives on printmaking and new areas of practice.
Printmaker Elizabeth Jackson was selected for the three-month role as Printmaker in Residence. Before coming to Swansea, Liz spent the previous two years living in the French Alps observing the different colours which the Argentière glacier exhibits through the different seasons, weather and times of day.
“Inspired by earth science and observational experience the appearance of colour and light in the natural landscape provides the central focus of my practice. Through printmaking I am developing a visual language to communicate aspects of nature that interest and fascinate me.’
Liz Jackson, Printmaker in Residence.
To find out more about Liz’s practice, please see www.atelierjackson.com
Under the theme, Nature and Colour, a series of Masterclasses took place each beginning with a local field trip. Liz Jackson encouraged participants to engage with nature and facilitated a new way of thinking about colour. The workshops explored the descriptive, sensory and material qualities of colour through the medium of printmaking. Participants mixed their own colour and created a figurative print which were collated and bound to create a hand-printed limited edition reference book.
Field trips to nature spots in Swansea were the springboard for the workshops. St James Park, Swansea Beach and Singleton Park yielded quiet spaces where Liz Jackson led the participants in making drawn observations and colour notes of the natural landscape.
So often we’re moving quickly through the landscape so it was a real treat to have time to sit and observe the minutiae of nature’s beauty and discover the depths and variations of colour within.
Owen Griffith, participant and member of SPW
Using their field notes back at the Workshop, participants were inspired to mix and print their own unique colour and create artwork to contribute to the book.
The Printmaker in Residence delivered training workshops to a group of Outreach artists who then took the concept of Urban Colour out to five community groups and schools creating individual prints and bound books.
The ‘drawing room’ and corridors were refurbished for the final exhibition leaving an increased capacity totalling 44 metres of running exhibition space for our long-term exhibition programme.
The launch of the limited-edition book, Colour & Nature took place at Swansea Print Workshop and featured an exhibition of the original screenprinted artworks alongside field notes and reference material.
During my time here, I’ve enjoyed working with members of the workshop to produce a range of beautiful colours which express the natural spaces of Swansea. Everyone responded creatively and imaginatively to the project and the book reflects the talents and enthusiasm of printmakers at Swansea Print Workshop.
Liz Jackson, Artist in Residence
Deialogau Creadigol Newydd | 2010 | Cyngor Celfyddydau Cymru
Daeth triniaeth gysyniadol â phersbectif newydd i ddulliau argraffu ein haelodau a’r arlunwyr annibynnol sy’n gweithio mewn canolfannau addysg a’r gymuned. Roedd y prosiect wedi meithrin dulliau newydd o gynhyrchu a delio â dogfennau ac ehangwyd ein gallu i arddangos gyda Blog, llyfrau arlunwyr a gwelliannau i’n man arddangos.
For more on the project please visit our dedicated New Creative Dialogues project blog.
This project took place in 2010 and was made possible by funding from the Arts Council of Wales.
