Thanks to all who came to IMPRINT!! Plus what else is coming up...
I'm still somewhat getting over an all-consuming week of print last week at Imprint Art Fair, one of London's most important forums for contemporary printmaking. Putting myself out there on such a commercial platform was both invigorating - many people were captivated by the work, leading to intense conversations, and also soul-destroying, five days straight of tending our stall, trying to be engaging but not too engaging, constantly second-guessing oneself etc. It's only really today that I've re-charged enough to get back in the studio and pick up a paintbrush. Thank you so much to everyone who came along, the support and enthusiasm was really touching. A couple of them are pictured above including one of my favourite emerging printmakers, Matty Emery.
For those of you who couldn't make it I decided to launch four of my largest, most accomplished etchings at the fair, as well as some smaller pieces. I'll be keeping the large etchings available at their launch price of £995 (unframed) for a bit longer, for those who couldn't make it along, or wanted a bit more time to consider such a subtantial purchase. More info is here.
The fair was dizzying in the quality and variety of printmaking on display, I'm just going to highlight a few of my favourites below - some by printmakers I already followed, some by printmakers I'll definitely be following from now on. First is a wonderful carborundum print by Ailbhe Barrett, called Lios Coinéad (Liskennett) - it's large (130x100cm), and finds a wonderfully natural balance between the free, expressive mark-making of the carborundum and intricate drypoint. Next in the pictures below is a spectacular multi-panel etching (and a close-up of one of the panels) called Heroine's Tree by Maite Cascon - the pictures don't really do it justice so I'd just say follow her and try and catch her work in real-life at some point. Next is a lively and unsettling monotype by monotype-master Marc Jennings, called Mussoloini's mother. Finally, a couple of Radek Husak's latest playful male forms - can't remember the medium but I think they're printed on aluminium. I talked to Rad at Woolwich Print Fair a few years ago and was really impressed with his stuff, it seems he's being going from strength-to-strength since.
Coming up
For those of you in Cambridge, St. Barnabas Press will be exhibiting once again at Mill Road Winter Fair, 5th December, in the hall behind St. Barnabas Church. It's one of my favourite days of the year in Cambridge - amazing street food, fire fighters pulling a fire engine down Mill Road, raucous live music, and I'll also be doing some portrait demos throughout the day (let me know if you want to sit - it'll be quick, don't worry!).
That same weekend, a few of us from St. Barnabas will also be exhibiting at Art Fair East in Norwich - get in touch for more info.
As usual - please encourage your art-intereseted friends to subscribe here, so I can wean myself off instagram...
Exhibition recommendations
I've heard great things about the Borsch Editions show at David Zwerner gallery near Green Park tube in London - let me know if you want to check that out together one weekend.
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