I have a permanent exhibition at The Workers Gallery in Ynyshir where I am one of the gallery artists. Started by Gayle Rogers and Chris Williams just over a year ago, The Workers has developed into a major cultural force in The Rhondda Valley. Originally the village library, Gayle and Chris took it over after it was closed down due to massive government cutbacks that have blighted so many deprived areas.
As well as a warm and welcoming place to visit, The Workers provides studio and workshop space for artists Gayle and Chris, has a main gallery space hosting an excellent programme of contemporary art, and another exhibition space for its gallery artists. At the moment, I am exhibiting a suite of eight block prints, inspired by a visit to Berlin’s Holocaust Memorial in the snow a few winters ago. There will be a major new exhibition of work by the gallery artists opening in mid-March – more news on that to come.
I’ve used vinyl ‘soft cut’ blocks from Intaglio Printmaker in London and their litho / relief ink. The prints are two-colour reduction relief prints: I cut away the areas to be left white and printed a mid grey, then cut away the areas to be left grey and printed black. This is often called the ‘suicide’ method by printmakers because it destroys the block and there’s no turning back!
Here’s my cat, Sparta Puss, ‘helping’ with the cutting. A dangerous business, she has no concept of ‘Elfin Safety!
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That Columbian Press looks sexy and dangerous at the same time!
It is, it is. Very heavy metal!
Cats know best (at least no one will tell them otherwise)😀
She thinks so anyway 😀
Your prints are always awesome. And that you often use old machines is very likeable. Have a happy day! 🙂
Thank you so much 🙂
Presses always speak of earlier eras! I don’t suppose they manufacture them in the good new days. It sounds as though your Berlin visit made an impact Rosie. I hope to see your prints (here). Cheers, Philippa
Thank you, Philippines. Modern presses are good but not as pretty 😀
Fancy me being the Philippines! I knew I was terrific but…autocorrect? My bubble is burst.
Hahahaha, predictive text 😁
hahaha predictive text!!! 😀
That press is impressive! Ha ha ha! I wish I had something like that in my neighborhood. Sparta is so helpful.
Isn’t she just 😁
What a cool press! and lovely kitty!
aawww thank you, she’s a charmer. The press is cool, isn’t it?