More artists wanted for river print project

Print maker Graham Hall is putting together 20 metre wood cut print of the Whanganui River. Photo/ Bevan Conley

Print maker Graham Hall wants your interpretation of the Whanganui River.

The Whanganui man in putting together a 20 metre wood cut print which depicts the entire length of the 290km river - from the mountain to the sea.

Mr Hall has carved the path of the river into 42 panels which join together.

Each panel will now be carved by a different artist with their own interpretation of the surrounds corresponding with section of river they have chosen.

Mr Hall has been working on the project for most of the year and is now ready to hand out panels to participants.

"I think I was probably looking at how I could raise printing awareness in Whanganui," he said. "And the river seemed the perfect thing to do.

"I don't think [print] will ever die but it's a process that's not so common these days."

Mr Hill has about 22 people already signed up to do a panel but he needs 20 more.

"The idea is that they need to do a bit of research on the area they have chosen," he said.

"We'll get a cross section of people - we've got young students, established print makers and artists. It's an inclusive process."

Workshops will also be held for those involved in carving a panel.

Mr Hall said the piece would be printed on a press before a public event where it will be pressed with a road roller on November 26.

"That'll be an event itself and we'll have no idea how it will turn out on the day."

He said he hadn't decided on where the print would be displayed but had a few ideas, such as the iSite.

He also wanted to exhibit it at a gallery.

Mr Hall received funding from the Whanganui District Creative Communities Scheme for the project.

"Because I've never done anything like this before it's been a bit of a learning curve."

People can register to do a panel at www.whanganuiriverprint.com.