A Multi-Faceted Process

Continuing our 2022 Bursary Programme our Print Exhibition celebrates the diverse nature of printmaking - the exhibiting artists all demonstrating the unique results that are achieved through the various explorations of an artform that is hundreds of years old.

The starting point for each of the artists is that traditional practice of printmaking, with each then producing work on different themes and contexts.

For Georgie Fay it is an interest in exploring connections in landscape and history; she utilises photography, digital imagery and found materials in the production of her etchings and monoprints, layering imagery with drawing and mark making to create contrived landscapes, in which the viewer can find personal connections.

Kevin Wright also creates etchings, working his images into copper plates by biting with solutions of acid which are then inked and printed to create limited editions. He draws his inspiration from his love of cities and the coast and countryside of Devon. Traditional romanticism guides his work, both in terms of his fascination with the sudden strangeness of nature and his interest in capturing timeless moments in cities. His work has been and is currently on exhibit at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, London.

Our final two artists each produce work using the printmaking method of linocut.

Steve Manning employs a combination of multi-block and reduction printing to produce spacious landscapes inspired by the open vistas of moorland, marsh and estuary.

He is particularly interested in skies and clouds, and these provide the focus of his images, the cloudscape often informing and influencing the overall composition of the completed print.

Also working in reduction linocuts, Mandi Street’s work most often represents local landscapes, from the Southwest Coast Path and elsewhere. She captures the energy of a place and time, producing work inspired by the spirit of places she has visited on her walks, with a focus on light, texture, and colour.

Reduction printing is a challenging discipline because, as the process progresses, the lino block is gradually destroyed as subsequent layers are cut away. This leaves little room for error and ensures no further prints can be made once the edition is complete.

The exhibition will be featured in our Main Gallery An exhibition of works from Kirsten Lavers, Sarah Strachan and Jenny Pope also showcase in our Courtyard and Basement Galleries.