Opposing Forces: Energetic Tensions in Printmaking and Photography
June 9 - July 29, 2023
Photography and printmaking are intrinsically linked but deeply different art forms. For decades, photography depended entirely on printmaking to put images onto paper, but both art forms have their own unique uses, techniques, and atmosphere. For this year's juried photo-based exhibition, we wanted to explore the intersection between printmaking and photography through the lens of the tensions between them.
One of the most important features of human creativity as a whole is our natural skill for innovation and experimentation. This collection of prints stands as proof of how deep that creativity runs -- printmaking and photography are old art forms: printmaking is thousands of years old, and photography was invented almost two centuries ago. And yet, here we have a collection of prints that are full of new ideas and experimentation, creating deep, meaningful, powerful imagery in the intersections and oppositions of these two art forms. Each year we are blown away by the continual invention displayed by all of the artists who submit their work to us. Some play with form, such as Christina Santner's collection of 100 small hexagons, combining cyanotype, coffee dye, and stitching to create a cohesive image. Others use new printmaking methods such as photopolymer gravure to create photographic prints that have the look and feel of an old darkroom print, like Kevin Black and Melody Knight-Leary. Still others are deeply experimental, like Lexi Coburn's creative uses of Polaroid emulsion lifts and Terry Decker's multi-layered pigment transfers.
Our exhibition this year was juried by Karen Hymer, a visual artist and educator who also runs Light Art Space, a gallery and arts workshop in Silver City that forms a key part of New Mexico's vibrant printmaking scene. Karen curated an incredible set of prints from our submissions this year. We encourage you to take in the minute details of each piece, but also to take a step back and see the underlying similarities and differences that run between all of these beautiful prints like a thin thread; the push and pull of different ideas and techniques that make them so powerful when viewed as a whole.
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All pieces are sold unframed unless otherwise noted
One of the most important features of human creativity as a whole is our natural skill for innovation and experimentation. This collection of prints stands as proof of how deep that creativity runs -- printmaking and photography are old art forms: printmaking is thousands of years old, and photography was invented almost two centuries ago. And yet, here we have a collection of prints that are full of new ideas and experimentation, creating deep, meaningful, powerful imagery in the intersections and oppositions of these two art forms. Each year we are blown away by the continual invention displayed by all of the artists who submit their work to us. Some play with form, such as Christina Santner's collection of 100 small hexagons, combining cyanotype, coffee dye, and stitching to create a cohesive image. Others use new printmaking methods such as photopolymer gravure to create photographic prints that have the look and feel of an old darkroom print, like Kevin Black and Melody Knight-Leary. Still others are deeply experimental, like Lexi Coburn's creative uses of Polaroid emulsion lifts and Terry Decker's multi-layered pigment transfers.
Our exhibition this year was juried by Karen Hymer, a visual artist and educator who also runs Light Art Space, a gallery and arts workshop in Silver City that forms a key part of New Mexico's vibrant printmaking scene. Karen curated an incredible set of prints from our submissions this year. We encourage you to take in the minute details of each piece, but also to take a step back and see the underlying similarities and differences that run between all of these beautiful prints like a thin thread; the push and pull of different ideas and techniques that make them so powerful when viewed as a whole.
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All pieces are sold unframed unless otherwise noted
Christine Harrison
Angle Fern Cyanotype and Botanical dye print $100 |
Kristin Powers
Pink Donuts Pronto Print, Digital Photography, Handmade Paper $950 |