Queenscliffe Gallery 2020 Human Emotion Print Exchange details.

2020 Human Emotion Print Exchange details


QG print exchange

The print exchange exhibition is a highlight event during the Queenscliff Literary Festival – and just as much anticipated by the literary world as it is by the art world.

The print exchange theme for 2020 will focus on various human emotion. The literature titles have been compiled by The Bookshop at Queenscliff who will also source each book title that will be posted to each artist participating in the print exchange.

All previous print exchange portfolios can also be viewed online.

https://qgw.com.au/human-emotion-print-exchange/


I am delighted to participate in this year’s Queenscliff Gallery print exchange. Each artist is assigned a book based on human emotion, with the intention of reading and responding. The only restrictions are the size and type of printmaking technique used.


The book assigned to me was Oliver Sacks’s captivating work titled ‘Gratitude’. It is a collection of essays reflecting on his life. Regrettably, Oliver Sacks passed away on August 30, 2015.


Addressing one’s own mortality is not a subject I dwell on, but after reading ‘Gratitude’, I have come to the realisation that the small aspects of life hold the greatest significance.


Expressing my own gratitude in response was challenging. Initially, I endeavoured to portray the life of Mr. Sacks, but it soon became apparent that this approach was unsuccessful. I found it difficult to accurately interpret the life of such a remarkable individual. Consequently, I decided to adopt a personal perspective in my response.





detail study

Study for Gratitude
detail of snow on the face

Registration was crucial  to the finished lino 
images is so tiny i needed a magnifying glass
setting up the press
 printing the lino over the background

hand printing in watercolour  

Gratitude, edition 30, with four artist proofs.
Linocut over digital background with stencilling and hand coloured.


Challenges of Small Plate Printing


Small plate printing presented several challenges, particularly in the intricate details of the dress. To achieve precise cuts, I resorted to using a magnifying glass at times. Additionally, the lino was cut out to a depth that necessitated the application of a board to the back, an approach I rarely employ.


Registration of the various components proved to be a critical issue, as all plates had to be meticulously precise and aligned. Inking proved to be somewhat challenging, as my standard relief ink was too soft and runny, resulting in an incorrect viscosity. Consequently, I reverted to using litho ink, which offered a medium stiffness that proved to be ideal, as it could be applied thinly without obscuring the fine details. 


Artist statement, inspired by the words of Oliver Sacks, 'its is the fate of every human being to be a unique individual, to find his own path, to live his own life, to die his own death'.


My work reflects on this,  I am grateful for my  Irish/ Scottish heritage, for the early years in scotland, for the dance lessons with two left feet, for the snow at Christmas time, for my love of all animals, for my travels to new lands and especially for my education.   

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