Making an impression

PROOF IS ON THE PAGES: Artists and members of the Print Council Amber Graham, Jean Johnston and Teressa Matthews are three of the talented printmakers featured in Proof. Picture by Liam Clayton

Celebrating two decades of contemporary and fine art printmaking, the Print Council Aotearoa New Zealand is proud to present its latest publication, Proof.

With art from 151 artists across the country, the book covers a breathtaking collection of printmaking processes and showcases the incredible diversity of the art form — traditional woodcuts, collages and etchings.

Local artists and Print Council members Jean Johnston, Amber Graham and Teressa Matthews are some of the artists who appear in the publication.

Mrs Johnston's art, River Three, is a printed collage with the essence of the Waimatā River at its heart.

Her artwork infuses different printmaking processes such as solar plating, etchings and collagraphy.

“It's about celebrating my role as a printmaker, which I have been doing for a long time,” Mrs Johnston said.

In the 1970s, printing presses were provided in high school art classrooms.

“I explored intaglio with my students. This, and the group that etcher Penny Ormerod established in Gisborne in 1976, forms the basis of my printmaking experiences.

“Using mainly collagraph, I have taught and encouraged new printmakers ever since.”

Mrs Graham's image in the publication is a Daibutsu, a Japanese term often used informally for larger statues of Buddha.

She uses solar plating in her work, which is glossed over with a tint of pink to represent the fruit-style fashion in Japan that was started by fashion photographer Shoichi Aoki in 1997.

“When I was living in Japan in 2007 I remember seeing this great Daibutsu in Kamakura. It was easily one of my favourite things to look at.

“I noticed that no one was around except for these Japanese people who were dressed head to toe in pink,” Mrs Graham said.

“I took lots of photos, turned them into a solar plate, and then printed it.”

Art gives her the opportunity to express thoughts and feelings in a way that she couldn't do otherwise.

“I use printmaking as my creative outlet. Things that inspire my work are researching my ancestry, New Zealand flora and fauna, and Māori and Japanese culture.”

Mrs Matthews' artwork is titled Kelp Forest.

She describes her style as “experimental” and her work as a monoprint collage.

An image of three vibrantly painted boxes is arranged to give it a three-dimensional look.

“I wanted to take a new tangent as print is traditionally flat behind glass.”

In the publication, Mrs Matthews said that her work reflects her observations of the environment around her.

“I love that printmaking allows me to be tactile and use texture.

“I print with others in our local studio, and this is a great way to grow and develop as an artist.”

To buy the book head to masseypress.ac.nz/books/proof/