Printmaking weekend puts region in the spotlight

Jun 27 2009 by David Whetstone, The Journal

A major focus on the art of printmaking begins this weekend, putting Newcastle and Gateshead in the international spotlight. David Whetstone reports.

TWO-THIRDS of the largest exhibition of printmaking in Britain for 20 years opens on Tyneside today – with the final third to open next Friday.

Around 170 pieces of work feature in the very first Northern Print Biennale which, as the title suggests, is intended to be a major survey of printmaking taking place every two years in the North East.

In the 18th Century Britain’s most famous printmaker, Thomas Bewick, was apprenticed in Newcastle to the engraver Ralph Beilby, establishing a noble tradition of printmaking.

Today it is sustained by Northern Print, the gallery and studio complex in Newcastle’s Ouseburn Valley, which provides facilities for experienced printmakers and courses and workshops for aspiring ones.

The Northern Print Biennale is a major international competition and exhibition developed in association with culture10 as part of its programme of world-class events and festivals.

Too big to be shown in one venue, parts of the exhibition open today at Northern Print itself, on Stepney Bank, Byker, and at the Hatton Gallery, Newcastle University.

The third part of the exhibition will open next Friday at the Laing Art Gallery when the winners of the inaugural 2009 Print Awards will also be announced.

These include the £5,000 Northern Print Award, the Friends of the Laing Art Gallery Purchase Prize, the V&A Print Prize and the Nexus Art on Transport Commission Prize.

Anna Wilkinson, director of Northern Print, was delighted with the response from artists to the first Northern Print Biennale.

She said: “I think the tremendous response the call for entries received, with more than 800 entries from 32 countries, shows just how strong the desire is for a major event which really recognises and rewards artists whose work encounters print.

“I’m so pleased that the selection panel found so many artists they felt should be in the show and I truly feel that we have an exhibition which will delight, surprise and challenge what people think print is all about.”

She hoped the three-part exhibition would not only benefit the participating artists but inspire a new generation to make prints – or to collect them.

Gill Saunders, senior curator (prints) at the V&A – Victoria & Albert Museum, London – one of a distinguished selection panel, said: “Our final selection, painstakingly refined from the impressive diversity on offer, is a vivid testament to the vigour and currency of printmaking in the 21st Century.”

Stella Hall, creative director of culture10, added: “There is a real sense of anticipation as the opening of Northern Print Biennale draws near. The calibre and diversity of the selected artists is hugely impressive and they’ll undoubtedly combine to create some exciting exhibitions.

“We hope that the Biennale will raise the profile of printmaking nationally, help position NewcastleGateshead as a ‘Print City’ and provide artists with an unrivalled opportunity to bring their work to a much wider audience.”

From the perspective of the viewer – and potential buyer – the three-part exhibition provides a brilliant introduction to print.

Often regarded as the poor relation of painting, printmaking, with its limited edition runs, is actually a challenging and unique medium for expression.

Many fine artists choose printmaking over painting and because prints usually cost less than paintings, they offer the less well-heeled collector the chance to acquire some truly outstanding works of art at an affordable price.

Northern Print Biennale runs from today at Northern Print (until October 4) and the Hatton Gallery, behind Northern Stage, Haymarket (until August 15) and at the Laing Art Gallery from July 4 (until October 4).

There is a full programme of talks, events, activities, demonstrations and workshops taking place in association with Northern Print Biennale.

For full details go to www.northernprint.org.uk/biennale For full listings of family activities and talks at the Hatton, the Laing and the Shipley art galleries, along with Discovery Museum, go to twmuseums.org.uk

Here are a few imminent highlights:

Passport to Print: Go to www.northernprint.org.uk/biennale to download artist Imi Maufe’s guide to the main festival events.

You can collect special stamps for your passport as you go around or buy limited editions screenprints of the map at Northern Print.

A Century of Olympic Posters: Posters of the Olympic Games throughout the decades on loan from the V&A Museum, London. Shipley Art gallery, Prince Consort Road, Gateshead, until August 23.

Printed: Exhibition celebrating contemporary printmaking at the Biscuit Factory, Stoddart Street, Newcastle, until August 31.

Fresh Eyes: Three exhibitions of new work by four artists – Maria Helena Magalhàes, Nicky Coutts, Liz Murray and Heather Allen –at Waygood Art Boutique, 31 High Bridge, Newcastle.

A Room Inside Them: Artists from the UK, USA, Germany and Denmark demonstrate their approach to printmaking at Vane, Kings House, Forth Banks, Newcastle, July 2, to August 1 (Wed to Sat, 12 noon to 5pm).

Thomas Bewick: Tale-Pieces: Exhibition of tiny illustrations intended to have a moral. Laing Art Gallery, July 4 to October 18.

London Calling: Exhibition of silkscreen works in association with Advanced Graphics London. Gallagher & Turner, St Thomas Street Workshops, St Thomas Street, Newcastle, July 4 to August 18.