Exhibition Statement

Introduction

Printmaking is one of the most diverse artforms with an array of different uses through history, from duplicating images by the Sumerians in 3000 BCE to European royal seals in 1436. My students learned about the history and process of making lino prints, created their own, and then created a final piece by printing on materials alternative to paper. Students created personalized collages, jackets, bags, bandanas, and coasters. 

History and Distinction

Printmaking is one of the most diverse artforms with an array of different uses and users through history such as European royal seals and newspapers(“History of Printmaking | What is Printmaking?”). We explored artworks through various elements of art and principles of design. Each class focused on a different element/principle highlighted in a different piece. For example, Andy Warhol’s “Campbell Soup Cans” taught about repetition. When learning linoprinting, we studied Anna Hermsdorf (Gosling). Her artwork deviates from traditional printmaking as she explores fun colors and plays with design style rather than focusing on precision neutral toned prints. By exploring printmaking through time, we learned about the evolution of printmaking as a medium.

By discussing how printmaking can be perceived as “expensive” and is therefore inaccessible, we discussed the social space that this form of art resides within. The activities we completed explored how to create prints without the “necessary” printing supplies. This demonstrated how one could explore this medium without specialized tools. 

Methods 

      I began my research by doing a deep dive into the broad question “What is Printmaking?”. While I had explored printmaking in high school, I knew very little about the history and development. I learned about both to chronologically structure my class through the semester. All of my research was conducted by reading articles, research papers, and blogs. In order to discuss elements of art/principles of design, I learned more about each and did my own research about how they act as individual concepts and as a whole. 

From there, I sought to develop activities for each class. I then picked out which elements of art/principles of design I wanted to cover and created weekly warm ups and lesson plans surrounding each one. Each warm up discussed both an element/principle and showcased famous artwork. This way, I fit in history, basic art concepts, and printmaking into each class. I asked my peers for their feedback on activities to ensure they maximized engagement. This led to the development of potato printing, printing with everyday objects, and making fun shaped repeated tiles! 

Audience and Impact

The audience for my workshop was any student that was open to learn about printmaking. I instilled the idea that everything can be done given the tools you have on hand. There were many opportunities for peer critique and feedback throughout the artmaking process to make class a more collaborative learning environment. My participants went from a group of students to a community of artists over the course of the semester.

Completing this project has given me confidence with my ability to explain concepts and to lead a group of my peers, which are skills that will follow me through my academic and professional career. As an artist, it was powerful to be surrounded by a group of supportive artists every week. One can learn so much from simply talking to others. I created an environment in my class in which these conversations were encouraged and thrived. 

References

“History of Printmaking | What is Printmaking?” Tribeca Printworks, 16 November 2022, https://www.tribecaprintworks.com/history-of-printmaking/.

Gosling, Emily. “Anna Hermsdorf.” People of Print, 4 May 2021, https://www.peopleofprint.com/linocut/anna-hermsdorf/.

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank Heather and Harold at Arts Scholars for guiding me. Thank you to Gabi for being an incredibly supportive, knowledgeable, and resourceful TA. 

Most of all, thank you to my students for being open minded and patient as they listen to me rave about my favorite art medium of all time, every week for an entire semester.