Earth-inspired etching selected

Sue Cooke. Photo/File

A Wanganui artist has had her horizons broadened after attending a print-making festival in Australia.

Sue Cooke was one of just a few Kiwi-based print-makers who went to the Mildura BMW Australian Print Triennale in Mildura, Victoria, in late October.

Ms Cooke's print Volcanic Landscape II, an etching in earth tones inspired by a trip to the far north of South Australia, was one of 55 chosen for the Print Prize Exhibition at the festival. More than 170 entries were submitted to the exhibition from print-makers from throughout the world.

The triennale included several exhibitions, a conference, demonstrations and lectures - 39 events in total.

The Print Prize Exhibition was selected by Emeritus Professor Sasha Grishin of the Australian National University, a leading figure in Australian print-making.

"The calibre of works was very high and I was delighted to have been selected."

Ms Cooke said the entire experience was very worthwhile for her.

"I learned a huge amount while I was there, especially about the Australian print-making scene.

"It was very stimulating seeing other people make work, and find out the ideas they're using."

Although Volcanic Landscape II is dated 2015, Ms Cooke first started working on it about seven years ago.

"I first started with a plate that I drew from some Antarctic material and I just never resolved - I kept trying different colours and more plates, and it kicked around the studio.

"Then we took a family holiday to Coober Pedy in northern South Australia, and from that I was inspired to work with earth colours."

She tried using earth colours with the image and it worked.

Ms Cooke said attending the festival had inspired her to start thinking about submitting work for exhibitions and conferences in other parts of the world.