From a concept in August 2009 to the exhibition this month it has been a very exciting journey. Twenty one artists randomly teamed with scientists from the Marine and Atmospheric Research facility in Hobart and asked to interpret the work of that scientist in a single piece of art.  Many struggled with the complexities of the science and some had to delve deep into their printmaking toolbag to find ways to represent their findings. Others had to learn new techniques to achieve the desired result. In the end we were proud to present a cohesive body of work which covered almost every print medium and was applauded by the scientific community.

John, Marinelle, Carolyn and Marcia worked together to get the show hung

Teamwork meant that the whole process was very quick

Even with the strange onlooker

the show was hung in two hours thanks also to David Roberts’ bespoke hanging system.

And then it was opening night

John Ingleton (HIP) Toni Moate (CSIRO) and Lindsay Broughton

and while there were some issues about the lighting

Lindsay Broughton

Lindsay had us chuckling with his oratory in his opening speech

Toni Moate was presented with a complete set of boxed prints for the CSIRO’s collection in thanks for their support in getting the magnificent catalogue printed

Wayne Goninon and Carolyn Canty

Carolyn Canty showing off the box she made for the CSIRO’s prints to Wayne Goninon (Tasmanian Committee of National Science Week) who aslo provided support for this project

Despite the lighting (or maybe because of it) sales were brisk on the opening night and this continued throughout the show

Perhaps the ambience of the Henry Jones Art Hotel atrium setting helped.

Artists were proud to pose with their work

Alicja Boyd "Catch"

Kaye Green "Understanding sharks"

Too soon it was time to take it down - congratulations to all those who participated (artists and scientists) and a big thank you to those who made it all happen; Carolyn Canty, Marinelle Basson, Bryony Bennett, Lea Crosswell, Toni Moate, Jeannie-Marie LeRoi and Christine Scott and the staff at the Henry Jones Art Hotel - until next time

Ron Moss, a technician from the Tasmanian Archive and Heritage Office, explains the workflow methodology used by the professionals

and uses Photoshop to adjust for best results. The workshop covered basic issues such as; preparing images, deciding on output size, workflow, enhancement, printing and data storage. The workshop was attended by some of the local historical society members and everyone was very pleased with the outcome.

Future workshops will cover the same material and take place on 21 August and 4 and 18 September.

The Minister for the Arts, David O’Byrne MP paid a visit to the HIP  studio at bellerive to see for himself what our members have been up to in the facilities provided by the State Government.

He was accompanied by Josh Bradshaw and they were both impressed by the range of activities and scope of member’s work.

Pictured here with John Ingleton and Marcia Kavazos Minister O’Byrne took control of the new press provided by his department and reminisced about his printmaking activities at school.

Kaye’s lithograph titled, The tree as traveller - trees I have known, is part of a series of works published at the Tamarind workshop in New Mexico during her residency in 2009.

Congratulation also to Hobart printmaker, Linden Langdon who was also a finalist in this section.

Closer to home, HIP printmaker Diane Foster was the winner of the Mayors Award at the Clarence Open art competition at the Rosny Schoolhouse gallery

All of these are fine examples of the work being done by Tasmanian print artists and part of the reason for the establishment for the HIP professional public access print studio - keep up the good work.

The refurbished studio has been getting a lot of use as members work to produce prints for exhibitions and other projects such as our National Science Week project with the CSIRO which will open at the IXL Henry Jones Art Hotel on Friday 13 August. Everything I’ve seen so far is looking very impressive and the scientists I have spoken with are looking forward to seeing our artistic interpretations of their work.

Our 3rd Mini-print exhibition at the Old Bakery Gallery in Lane Cove (Sydney) will also open in August.

The Clarence Council Sesquicentenary project is coming along nicely thanks to the assistance on Anita Wanless - www.streamdesign.com.au - who has done all the graphic design for posters, flyers and advertsiements. With this project we will be gathering old images of Clarence to convert into “artistic interpretations” to be shown in The Barn during the Sesquicentenary celebrations in October. As part of the process we will be running a series of workshops/demonstrations in August/September about the processes involved in scanning and reworking images with a computer. Watch for details.

Another workshop will be run by award winning artist Kaye Green during the Australian Print Council’s Hobart Print Forum on September 12. Kaye will be working with participants to modify, transform or rework old prints into collages or artist’s books thus inspiring them to breathe new life into old work. Watch for details.

Did you know that in October this year, the Clarence City Council celebrates 150 years of existence?

To celebrate, the artists of the Hunter Island Press in collaboration with the Clarence City Council, would like to showcase 150 years of photographic memories in an art exhibition and series of artist-run digital printing workshops.

Our Tasmanian printmakers would like to share your favourite photographic memories of life and times in the Clarence district – simply bring in or post us your original images, and we’ll scan and turn them into works of art for the entire community to marvel and enjoy.

We are looking for the original images from the community and organisations that would like to participate.

Watch this space for news on upcoming workshops and exhibition.

FREE WORKSHOPS

10am–1pm, Saturday 7 August, Saturday 21 August, Saturday 4 September and Saturday 18 September. Contact us to book a place.

CONTACT US – THE HUNTER ISLAND PRESS

For more information you can call our President on 0401 067 486, or click here to send an email. Images can be sent to the Hunter Island Press, PO Box 1198, Rosny Park TAS 7018 – don’t forget to include a stamped self-addressed envelope if you’d like it back.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO DONATE AN IMAGE?

The Tasmanian Archive and Heritage Office would be pleased to receive any original photographs that you would like to donate.

They do not accept copies of originals, and would prefer that no restrictions are placed on the use of the photographs.

Any information that you can provide about each photograph, is greatly appreciated too.

If you have an image that you’d like to donate, bring it along to one of our upcoming workshops (dates TBA soon) or contact Robyn Eastley at the Tasmanian Archive and Heritage Office on 03 6214 4896.

Lisa Singh MP and Alderman Jock Campbell, Mayor of Clarence

Ms Singh was joined by Alderman Jock Campbell, Mayor of Clarence and Alderman Richard James, of Clarence Council.  Also in attendance was Professor Noel Frankham, Head of the University of Tasmania’s  School of Art as well as representatives of the Department of Economic Development who lease the buildings to HIP.

Jock Campbell, Mayor of Clarence and John Ingleton, President of HIP

The proceedings were introduced by HIP’s president, John Ingleton who spoke of the difficulties of adequately thanking all the people who had had a part in reaching this milestone since the time of HIP’s inception in 2004. He commended the members of the original committee; Christine Scott, Corinne Costello, Karen Lunn, Tracey Cockburn, Helena Demczuk and Tony Tenbensel, who had a vision and made a committment to work toward the establsihment of this studio - a place where print artists at all skill levels would find a home, a place to make art and share their knowledge with others.
John also thanked Robert Tenbensel of Tenbensel and Dee and Patrick Lunn of Simmons Wolfhagen who gave up their time in those early days to help define the parameters for the organisational structure as well as Linden Langdon and her partner Steven Clark who had done such a great job in establishing a cyber presence for the organisation through the development of the highly commended HIP website.

Julie Cook's lithographic press

He highlighted the assistance given by the broader arts community that contributed to this event; Milan Milojevic who inspired, Noel Frankham who encouraged, Paula Wreidt, Lynne Uptin and David Edgar who supported, Julie Cook who donated the lithographic press, and of course Arts Tasmania who have encouraged and supported HIP over the past five years and contributed financially to various projects including $11,936 to purchase the Enjay etching press which made possible this refurbishment.

Enjay E34/864GC etching press - easily handles 80 x 120cm paper

The Australian Business Arts Foundation (Abaf) have given support through their Advicebank and Australia Cultural Fund as well as various training programs, the Department of Education through their Adult Continuing Education (ACE) program and Tasmanian Regional Arts have supported a number of regional projects over the years.

Alderman Jock Campbell, Mayor of Clarence

John handed over to Jock Campbell, the mayor of Clarence who spoke of Council’s long association with HIP through the Rosny Schoolhouse gallery and his enjoyment of the excellent work produced by the members of Hunter Island Press. He spoke of Council’s concern to see a worthwhile use made of the historic Wirksworth estate and thanked the State Government for making the Stables building and Annex available to HIP. Jock said that he hoped that it would become a productive home for Tasmanian print artists. He then introduced Lisa Singh MP to officially launch the refurbished facility.

Lisa Singh MP, Minister for Workplace Relations

Ms Singh echoed the previous speakers sentiments about the commitment necessary to make something like the HIP studio happen. She spoke about the fact that, while governments can support the goals of organisations like Hunter Island Press, outcomes like this only come about through passion and commitment. She spoke of her previous experience as an arts administrator and how this gave her an insight into how much effort goes into achieving the sort of results that HIP have achieved over the the past five years. Ms Singh noted that, although the studio was located in Clarence, it catered for artists from a wide ranging area in southern Tasmania including her own electorate of Denison. She congratulated all those who had been involved in making this happen and stated that this is an example that Tasmania’s arts community is alive and well, is organised, and is working to provide opportunities for graduates to make art and get it out where it can be seen, appreciated and purchased by other Tasmanians.

A token of appreciation

After declaring the facility open Ms Singh was presented with a set of framed prints by HIP printmakers from the Reel Heroes Safe Beaches project as a thank you.

Following the formalities there was plenty of opportunities for people to mingle and discuss the work of HIP and its members.

Small etching press in upper studio

The new HIP facility will provide the only public access lithographic press in Tasmania as well as the full size  etching press mentioned above and the smaller press which has been their mainstay over the past two years.

Digital print area

In addition, it boasts a digital print facility with three PCs and two Macs as well as scanners and printers to meet the demands of contemporary print artists. There is an opportunity for members to learn the secrets of Adobe Photoshop using Adobe’s Classroom in a Book program.

There will also be Litho stones and plates and screen printing equipment available for hire to members and HIP is working toward the launch of their workshop program later this year.

The new theme, “Pine Apples - from pineapples to the apple isle” has been taken up enthusiastically by 34 artists who have developed an amazing range of responses in virtually every print medium.

The exhibition is being held at the Church Studio Gallery in Franklin until 7 March after which it transfers to the Myrtle Street Studio, Brisbane.

It was opened by Milan Milojevic, renowned artist, Master Printmaker and Head of Printmaking at the University of Tasmania’s School of Art. Milan spoke about the history of the print as art and of it’s democratic nature which enables it to be widely distributed and so bring art to the masses. A leading researcher in the use of digital technology within the print artists practice, he nevertheless pointed out that it is just another tool that printmakers can use to create art. That its current status is no different to that of lithography in days past when it was scorned as “merely a graphic medium” but has since become accepted as mainstream primarily due to the work of artists such as Goya, Degas, Odilon Redon, Mucha, Picasso, etc ( for information on lithography  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithography).

Artists and visitors alike were fascinated by Milan’s address

and then enjoyed a closer inspection and discussion of the work

while a being entertained by local musicians who played tunes from the times of the apple shed dances when Tasmania was known throughout the world as the Apple Isle

With this eclectic collection it is no wonder that sales were brisk

Most have been produced as limited editions so there should still be a full complement to make the trip to Brisbane

Dr Rod Ewens, former head of Printmaking at the Tasmanian School of Art spoke about Kaye’s journey from undergraduate to Masters candidate at the renowned Tamarind Institute at the University of New Mexico to her present body of work completed as a professional artist working with the Tamarind Master Printers in October 2009

Kaye spent three weeks collaborating withMaster printer Bill La Gattuta and is excited to be able to have an exhibition to showcase this new series of lithographs and monotypes

Kaye chatting with current head of printmaking at the Tasmanian University, Milan Milojevic

Diane says about the work, “I am drawn to degraded landscapes and find signs of beauty in the unexpected, particularly in mining and industrial sites, and am interested in the different ways we experience these environments aesthetically through our senses”

Using digital print making she, “… concentrate[s] on the emotive impact these landscapes have on me - sublime aspects of size, power and might which contain often hidden or subtle areas of beauty in neglected spaces, on weathered and contaminated surfaces, heavy machinery or large constructions, in heaps of industrial detritus left to decay and rust”

Margaret McAteer is exhibiting her screen prints at the Inka Gallery in the Salamanca Art Centre until 10 March.

Margaret says, “My inspiration comes from an interest in people, this leads me into diverse areas including the area of politics. Screen printing allows me to express my political views in the style of pop-art posters.”

“My studies also include screen prints of people from all walks of life, taken from original historic photographs”

The small press in the annex

Thanks to a grant through Arts Tasmania’s  2010 Infrastructure Fund they are now able to purchase a full sized Enjay E34/865 etching press which will be located in the annex along with their litho press which has been in storage pending renovation of the site.

During the coming weeks the upstairs studio will be partially floored with waterproof vinyl so that it becomes suitable for printing operations and a digital print centre will be established. A large paper soaking tray and graining sink will be installed in the small studio which, together with the new bench tops and drying racks will turn this space into a professional lithographic and relief printing studio.

A big thanks to all of those who showed up to tote and lift and shove all the equipment up the stairs to its new home despite the sometimes wet conditions (especially the large desks and the drying rack which were both awkward and heavy.

Partial view of upstairs studio during lunch break - things will be a little crowded until the new vinyl is laid

Alicja, Jan, John, Sarah and Carolyn - willing workers at their lunch break. John Robinson, Tamayo Leahy and Marcia Kavazos were also part of the team.

Watch this space for further developments