Print Exchange 2020
LET’S PRINT OUR WAY THROUGH THIS…
LET’S PRINT EXCHANGE!
By March 2020, COVID-19 became a global pandemic. Everyone was affected in some way, shape or form. One of the communities most effected was the arts and it seemed like a perfect time to reach out and keep printing during these uncertain times.
Two Western Australia letterpress artists, Ann Ong of Bright Press and Phil Gambrill of Fresh Lemon Print, decided to spread some happiness to the print community – ‘social distancing’ artistic love – to encourage others that they are not alone, launching a ‘Good Vibes’ themed print exchange.
The brief was to create 20 x A5 copies in any printmaking medium - letterpress, intaglio, relief, lithography, digital, mixed etc. In return each participant would receive a selection of exchanged prints from other printmakers. Over 40 participants signed up from around the world including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, UK, Uruguay and USA.
As the world evolved to deal with the pandemic, rules and restrictions were put in place. People entered lockdown and could no longer access their studios, gain supplies or even leave their homes. The deadline was duly extended and wonderful dialogues opened up with the printers about their various journeys to produce their prints, whether it be an innovative makeshift home studio or obtaining special passes to visit their workshops. Unfortunately a few participants were so effected by their pandemic experiences that they felt unable to be creative at this current time and could no longer participate.
The global postal services also ground to a halt, so receiving packages became troublesome. Some printers even had to re-route their parcels via different countries to get them safely delivered... The longest of which took over 4 months to arrive from North America! Eventually the parcels started to arrive and it became a ‘printers Christmas of delights’ as they opened each package.
The final exchanged prints were finally mailed out in early September.
