INGALLERY.1
11 – 26 May 2024
The Print Circle | IMPRESSIONS 2024
Women Printmakers Uniting in Technique and Expression
In a celebration of diversity, creativity, and the empowering force of women in art, the exhibition Impressions brings together a collective of talented printmakers. Through each member’s unique perspective, the rich tapestry of printmaking is explored, infusing their work with a distinct voice and vision.
From the intricate lines of etching to the bold relief of woodcut, from the tactile textures of collagraph to the narrative depth of artist’s books, this exhibition showcases the breadth and depth of contemporary printmaking practice.
Impressions is not merely an exhibition but a celebration of the diverse and multifaceted nature of contemporary printmaking. It is a testament to the enduring legacy of women in art and a rallying cry for continued support and recognition of their contributions. Join us in experiencing the beauty, the passion, and the creativity of these remarkable artists as their voices resound through the medium of printmaking.
The Print Circle | IMPRESSIONS 2024
Exhibition was opened by Elizabeth Fortescue, Arts writer and Journalist.
Saturday 11th May 3pm
Amidst this diversity of technique, a common thread binds these artists together: a commitment to their craft, a passion for storytelling, and a desire to connect with audiences on a visceral and emotional level. Through their prints, they invite us into worlds both familiar and fantastical, prompting us to see the world anew and to contemplate the myriad complexities of the human experience.
As women artists, they confront and challenge societal norms, reclaiming space within the male-dominated art world and asserting their voices with strength and resilience. Their prints serve as a testament to the power of creativity to transcend boundaries and to unite in our shared humanity.
Print Circle Exhibiting Members:
Lorraine Avery is a Sydney based Printmaker who has been exhibiting with The Print Circle since 2018.
“My printmaking methods include carborundum, collograph, drypoint, relief printing and chine colle.
People and places in history and archaeology provide inspiration for my work.
My current work focuses on life in the Middle Ages.”
Fran Caruana, having completed her Advanced Diploma of Fine Arts, majoring in Printmaking, was in her words, ‘…immediately drawn to the approach and experimentation that can be achieved through the many facets of Printmaking…, etching, solar plates, mono-prints, collagraphs, lino printing, etched lino and digital media…
I enjoy the endless possibilities available to me through printmaking.’
A graduate of Sydney College of the Arts, Debra Hannigan has been exhibiting with the Print Circle since 2014.
I am a Screen printer and work with water-based inks and print on Stonehenge paper. I have been printing now, on and off for over 30 years. ~ Debra Hannigan 2024.
Living and working in Darkinjung Country (Kariong NSW) Cheryl McCoy’s work was recently selected as finalist in the Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery’s 2023 Still Life National Art Prize; shehas been five times finalist in the Gosford Art Prize, receiving the Aboriginal Artist Award for the 2021 Gosford Art Prize.
“I seek to harness my deep spiritual connection to Country to drive my artistic enquiry while encouraging others to reflect on their relationship with the world around them.” ~ Cheryl McCoy
For Carol Shaw, “my art is an extension of myself and a reflection of how I connect and relate to the environment around me. Exploring and learning new ways to visually interpret what I see and experience, lights up my soul and gives me a sense of belonging.
Primarily a printmaker, I embrace a variety of techniques from zinc etchings, solar plates, collagraphs, lino and wood cuts to monotypes and dry point etchings. I often incorporate layering and stitching into my work adding depth with an element of pattern and rhythm echoing my background and passion for woven and printed textile design.”
Laura Stark has been exhibiting since 1968 with over 16 solo and numerous group exhibitions. Stark is a regular finalist in major Print awards including: Gosford Art Prize; North Sydney Art Prize; Hazelhurst Art on Paper Award; Burnie Print Prize; Inkmasters Print Award; Adelaide Perry Prize for Drawing and the Pro Hart Outback Art Prize.
Public Collections: ANG, Canberra ACT; AGNSW, Sydney,NSW; Woolongong University, NSW; The Council of Wellington, New Zealand; Canberra City Council, Australia; Warrnambool Technical College; The PLC College Sydney; Danebank, Sydney; Sutherland Council; and Chuo City Japan.
Edith Cowlishaw’s passion for the bush echoes with bush walkers world wide. Her mastery of technique and aesthetic is obvious; it is both a great recommendation of and recognition for, her skills as printmaker and artist, that her work is represented in the personal collection of the Japanese Royal family.
Public Collections include: National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, ACT; The MAGAM Collection, Manly Art Gallery & Museum, Sydney NSW; Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney and The Coles Myer Collection of Australian Art.
Janet Carter is a graduate of Sydney University, who has been exhibiting with the Print Circle since 2013. She has been a finalist in the Mosman, Hunters Hill, Willoughby and Lane Cove art prizes, receiving Awards in the Macquarie University, Ryde, Lane Cove and Drummoyne Art prizes.
I have been to Barren Gorge in Cairns many times… I love the rainforests of the Cairns area…”
Prue Crabbe has been exhibiting regularly since 1980. Following the completion of her B.A.(Hons) in Italian at the University of Sydney she lived overseas for several years. On returning to Australia she undertook the Associate Diploma of Fine Arts and the Certificate of Advanced Printmaking at Hornsby TAFE.
In her work, Prue Crabbe reflects upon the intriguing nature of “… the transformation of a mundane, even ugly, object into something enigmatic.”
Jill Harris is a regular art prize finalist, receiving Highly Commended in the 2023 Waterbrook Landscape and 2013 Bowral Art Prizes, a first in the 2018 and 2019 Blackheath Art Prize Contemporary section, and the 2012 Ewart Art Prize.
Public Collections: The Blacktown City Council and The Waverly City Council, NSW.
“These works are a series based on study of J. S. Bach’s ‘Two-Part Inventions’… two colours and two plates, mirrors counterpoint, with motifs, rhythms and the limited palette holding the structure in place…”
Originally from New Zealand, Sydney based Jan Moore joined the Print Circle in 2022. A regular exhibitor since 1993, Moore has held over 20 group and solo exhibitions, receiving the Willoughby Workshops Members Art Prize for printmaking in 2005, 2021 and the Highly Commended Print Award in 2023.
“The fragile forms of the fern undergrowth of the Tasmanian Wilderness and the ambience of the moist misty environment was the inspiration of these prints..”
Judy Smith has been a regular exhibitor wit the Print Circle since 2014 and has been a finalist and recipient of numerous art prize awards including the Ewart Art Prize (Printmaking); the Camden Art Prize Works on Paper Award; The Bowral Art Prize Gallipoli award; the Blackheath Rhododendron Contemporary Art Prize; Northbridge Art Prize; Lane Cove Art Prize including the 2018 Hyecorp Property Group acquisitive prize; Northern Beaches Art Prize; Sydney Royal Easter Show – Highly Commended; Australian Society of Miniature Artists (NSW) National Awards; Drummoyne Art Society Art Award and the Hunters Hill Art Show – winner – Small works category.
“I feel the mystery of our ancient country, the home of ancient people… The silhouette of trees against the sky’s background imbues the mystery and ambience of the natural world.”
Ruth Thompson, has been a recent finalist in the 2023 Library Artist Book Award, Manly Art Gallery and Museum; the 2022 Libris Awards, Artspace Mackay; 2022 Common Ground Print Prize, Castlemaine Press; 2020 Biblio Art Prize and the 2019 Ewart Art Prize.
“My work takes its cue from the shapes, sounds and colours of the natural environment (with an occasional nod to the built and human environments). I like the idea of walking lightly, and our role as carers for the planet and human heritage. Movement, musicality, fragility, resilience, and the poetry of place and time are major themes in my art practice.” ~ Ruth Thompson, 2024
Public Collections: National Gallery of Australia; Manly Art Gallery & Museum; State Library of Victoria; Sky Niseko, Japan