Printmaker on show in world-wide events

Whanganui printmaker Sue Cooke with a stone lithograph entitled Orkulind (The Energy Zone) Hrisey. The print features in the London Print Studio Summer Members' Show. PICTURE / PAUL BROOKS

Whanganui printmaker Sue Cooke's work is being exhibited around the world — in the London Print Studio Summer Members' Show, Miniprint Kazanlak in Bulgaria and Miniprint International Cadaques.
The last exhibition travels from Cadaques, Spain, to Wingfield in England, then to Barcelona and on to Bages in France.

"I've known about the Cadaques exhibition for many years but I've never put any work in. They kept sending me the entry forms," Sue says.
In 2014 she applied and was accepted.
"What I like about that exhibition is that it's peer reviewed. They choose six winners out of 600-odd artists and those six winners are the judges for the following year. Last year I was lucky enough to be a finalist.

"The London Print Studio Summer Exhibition — I am a member of London Print Studio because that's where I went to be Artist in Residence last July. You have to be a member to be able to work there."
Sue was accepted for the exhibition 24 hours before going on holiday so she had to rush to frame and send the work.
She was also Artist in Residence, in Gamli Skoli, Hrisey, Iceland, last year.

Having her work shown in such diverse, faraway places must be good for the inner artist.
"It helps my confidence enormously," she says. "It's nice to feel good about what you're doing."
Sue works mostly on her own, so apart from visitors to her gallery she gets little feedback. Acceptance for prestigious exhibitions is recognition for a job well done.
"In terms of reputation, the more exposure you can get anywhere … but it has to fit well with what you're doing."

The Bulgarian exhibition — Miniprint Kazanlak — invited Sue to exhibit. It's probable they heard of her through the Spanish exhibition.She checked it out online and was impressed.
"It's very good, it's all very well run, the philosophy behind the exhibition is sound."

Sydney-born Sue came to New Zealand in 1973 and graduated with her Diploma of Fine Arts with Honours from University of Canterbury in 1985. The University awarded her the Academic Prize in Fine Arts and Music that year.
"I've actually been drawing and making things since I was knee-high to a grasshopper, and all that experience builds and adds to your formal training. You learn along the way."

In 1990-1991 she was the Sarjeant Gallery's artist-in-residence at Whanganui's Tylee Cottage.
Now she is well established and has a New Zealand-wide reputation. Having her work shown beyond our shores hasn't hurt either.
"It's not only good for your work but you build some friendships along the way."

Exhibition details
London Print Studio Summer Members Show
Described as a "very strong show of contemporary printmaking".
Exhibition Dates: July 14 — September 1, 2018 (Closed Friday, July 13 due to Donald Trump's visit to London disrupting traffic and public transport)
Street Address: 425 Harrow Rd, London W10 4RE, UK.
Usual opening hours:10.30 to 5.30 Tuesday to Saturday
Website: www.londonprintstudio.org.uk
"A lithograph from my Icelandic Hrisey series has been selected for this exhibition.
"If you are in London please enjoy the exhibition."

Miniprint Kazanlak
June 1 — 30, 2018
Fine Arts Gallery Kazanlak
6100 Kazanlak
Kiril y Metodi 9
Bulgaria
www.facebook.com/miniprint.kazanlak/posts/814203128762781
www.miniprintkazanlak.org
July 5 — 18, 2018.
Art Gallery Pentimento, Sofia, Bulgaria
www.facebook.com/events/1078654508941775/
"I was delighted to be invited to put forward a work for selection for this high-quality annual event, now in its sixth year.
"I found out in April that three works from my Icelandic Journey series had been selected. The Icelandic Journey series was inspired by a return bus trip across Iceland from the city of Rekjavik in the far south to Akureyri in the far north.
"I drew in a small format book for the duration of the journeys and these drawings were then translated into lithographs."

Miniprint International Cadaques
Cadaques: June 30 to September 30, 2018
Monday to Sunday 6pm to 9.30pm
Hort d'en Sanés, 9, Cadaqués, Spain
WINGFIELD: July 14 to September 2, 2018
Wingfield Barns
Wednesday to Sunday 11am to 4pm
11Church Road, Wingfield, EYE Suffolk, IP21 5RA, England
BARCELONA: October 19 to November 11 2018
Fundacio Tharrats d'Art Grafic
Thurs & Fri 6pm to 8.30pm, Sat 10am to 2pm and 6pm to 8pm, Sun 10am to 2pm
"Can Comas", Placa de Catalunya, 1, 08397 Pineda de Mar, Barcelona, Spain
BAGES: November 18 to January 21, 2018
L'etangd'art
8 Rue de L'ancien Puits, 11100 Bages, France
"This touring exhibition is now becoming a permanent fixture on my calendar.
"I've lost count as to how many times I have entered and been accepted. In 2017 I was delighted to be a finalist. The work Beech-Creek (pictured) is part of my Beech at Ohau series honouring New Zealand's indigenous forests."