Nothing beats seeing prints in real life.
| | In a world where seeing artwork in reality is becoming more and more of a rarity, nothing beats experiencing texture, size and style of prints in real life. So it was really special to get out of Pressing Matters Towers and visit the London Original Print Fair this week at Somerset House. Rewarded with a whole raft of familiar artists on show – from Katherine Jones’s epic-scaled collagraphs to Wuon-Gean Ho’s mini masterpieces. Proof, if any were needed, that print comes in all shapes and sizes – and not just the size of the screen on the latest device.
Inspiration flowed from this visit and another whistle-stop we had to the Wes Anderson Archives show at the Design Museum (a must-see if you are in the city). Fans and non-fans alike would be staggered by the creative world on show and if we can give as much attention to detail and joy in sharing stories and ideas as the American filmmaker does, then we’d be doing well and be very pleased.
With an array of printmaking shows, courses and open calls, we hope you find something near you to see or do in real life, to get the creative juices flowing.
Keep well and keep on rolling… |
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| | John Coe Founder of Pressing Matters magazine
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| | The Art & Craft of Print To coincide with their major exhibition The Art & Craft of Print at National Trust Mottisfont which opened on Saturday 9th May, St Jude’s commissioned a lovely new letterpress poster by Justin Knopp of Typoretum. Traditionally printed and available in limited numbers, it celebrates the Hampshire-based show, which includes the work of 26 major printmakers working in Britain today, including Angie Lewin, Mark Hearld, Emily Sutton and Jonny Hannah. Grant Gibson spoke to Simon and Angie Lewin of St Jude’s for our latest issue, where they discuss their passion for patterns and the artists who make them, ahead of their new printmaking exhibition at National Trust Mottisfont. Read ‘Pattern Perfect’ in Issue 34, out now in print and digital editions. |
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| | Norman Ackroyd show in Bath
Opening on 22nd May, The Transience of Light is a new exhibition celebrating the artist and master printmaker Norman Ackroyd CBE RA (1938-2024). Spanning five decades of practice, this exhibition brings together Ackroyd's spectacular etchings from the 1980s onwards, with a focus on how he portrayed natural light with exceptional finesse. From subtle refracted rainbows in early works, to dramatic contrasts, hazy skies and glimmering vistas, his ability to capture the atmosphere of a place in print was unparalleled. Bath’s Victora Art Gallery are host to this special show until September, which has been curated with his studio manager and family, who have contributed their unique insight to Ackroyd's remarkable life and work. We were lucky to speak to him back in Issue 13 and you can check out his studio in our online gallery. |
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| | Maker’s Retreats Pennsylvania-based Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites are hosting Maker's Retreats this June and October, where participants can learn a whole host of heritage skills including printmaking. Spend a full weekend immersed in creativity and history. Perfect for beginners, this crafts retreat invites makers, artists and craftspeople of all skill levels to step away from daily life and dive into a weekend of hands-on learning, inspiration, and community. You’ll be able to try your hand at blacksmithing, ring making, woodcarving alongside more familiar activities to the artist, such as bookbifding, paper making and woodblock printmaking. |
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| | Fiona Hamilton will be running a Letterpress workshop at Bristol’s Spike Print Studio on Tuesday 26 May, 10am-4pm. In this workshop she’ll be sharing how to make small typographic compositions and print them on the Vandercook 232P and Adana 8x5 presses. Attendees will have the opportunity to create postcards, art pieces and more using the metal type and ornamental type, or use old prints to create unique business cards to advertise their own practices. |
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Artist and educator Jole Bortoli (whose linocut The Shapes Of Water features above) let us know about an upcoming event taking place in the Marche region of Italy. “I am delighted to be participating in the exhibition 1966-2026 I CORSI ESTIVI INTERNAZIONALI DI INCISIONE in the beautiful city of Urbino,” says Jole. The show, which takes place in the Castellare Rooms of the Ducal Palace, where visitors can admire the works of 68 artists – printmaking alumni of diverse nationalities — who have been invited to return and exhibit their work. |
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| | Artist’s Book Prize Open Call Artist Matteo Totaro recently got in touch with news of GIOIELLI DI CARTA 2026, which is happening this August. An international exhibition dedicated to artist’s books, experimental printmaking and handmade publishing, artists, printers, typographers, visual poets and book designers are invited to explore the idea of ‘the threshold’ – transformation, transition and becoming. Welcoming such techniques as letterpress, engraving, linocut, woodcut, collage and mixed media. Plus a prize of €500 to be won, be sure to reach out to Matteo. |
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| | Barcelona Residency Check out some of the fantastic photos taken by Oscar Medina of my recent residency at La Maldita Estampa in Barcelona. Safe to say I had the best time and enjoyed discovering the city through new eyes and incorporating sketches, stamps and textures into a couple of screenprints. Founder of La Maldita, Lluvia Cisneros, was amazing to work with and learn from and I’m already using some of my new knowledge on my illustration course at Spike Print Studio. We’re planning an article with her and some of her visiting artists for our summer issue. Be sure to check out La Maldita Estampa’s feed and get yourself booked onto a residency there if you get a chance. |
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| | Wander around Winchester Print Fair Marketing itself as ‘the UK’s best tiniest’ print fair, we can vouch for the quality of stallholders and attention to detail that goes into the Winchester Print Fair. With an amazing range of artists that include local print friends Gemma Trickey, Peski Studio, Lisa Takahashi and Steph Renshaw, the fair takes place over two floors at The Nutshell, Kings Walk in Winchester and you can expect to be dazzled not only by the artworks, but by the stalls themselves – with lots of effort going into their displays, there’ll be loads to see and get inspired by. On this weekend 16th - 17th May from 10.30am to 4.30pm. |
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| | We had a fabulous time wandering through the hallowed halls of Somerset House yesterday. From exiled Queens to parliament offices, the buildings have played host to many an important person or decision over the years and deciding what to buy or spotting a legendary artist and their artwork (rumour has it that Tracey Emin was at the private view) follows suit. However, this weekend the venue is packed top to bottom with print for the London Original Print Fair. We loved catching up with Emma Mason and pouring over the colour and compositions of the Robert Tavener prints that she has on display. |
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The HAUSPRINT Etching Year is a unique opportunity to build your printmaking skills over the course of a year. Designed to provide stable building blocks for your printmaking future, whatever your starting point. The 40-week evening course runs is taught by from Rob White and Michelle Avison in their printmaking studio in Stockwell, South London from October 2026 to July 2027. |
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