Wanderlust an exhibition by PressNorth Printmakers

Wanderlust by PressNorth printmakers

I recently flew to Brisbane with the assistance of Townsville City Council, Grants for Excellence in Cultural Development, to help with the installation of Wanderlust, an exhibition by PressNorth Printmakers at the Judith Wright Centre, Brisbane.

Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts, Brisbane

The project was a collaboration between PressNorth Printmakers, Umbrella Studio of Contemporary Arts, Flying Arts Alliance and the Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts. The Wanderlust exhibition comprises of 27 framed prints by 21 members of PressNorth Printmakers.

Ben Werner leading the Flying Arts team of volunteers

It was a pleasure and a unique professional development opportunity for both Angela Cheung, from Umbrella Studio, and myself to work with Ben Werner, an industry leader of exhibition installation in Queensland. Ben lead the team of staff and volunteers from both Flying Arts and the Judith Wright Centre at a cracking pace to produce an elegant finish.

Theatre lighting used to light the exhibition of prints

Wanderlust is displayed in a converted performing arts theatre at the Judith Wright Centre and has large windows leading directly onto Brunswick St offering passers by a glimpse of the exhibition 24hrs a day. The walls are painted a dramatic black and with the use of barn lights to frame each print individually they have created an amazing visual effect, you are not aware of anything else in the gallery space but the artwork.

Volunteers installing Hannah Murray & my collaborative prints 'Awkward Orchid #1-4

Hannah Murray and I have collaborated on a new suite of prints for inclusion in the Wanderlust exhibition. The four prints are a combination of collagraph, etching, drypoint and hand colouring. Titled 'Awkward Orchid #1-4', they are 32 x 22cm, and an edition of 5 with 1 AP each. They can be purchased through Umbrella Studio of Contemporary Arts

Wanderlust by PressNorth Printmakers

The exhibition was officially opened by Judy Watson at the Judith Wright Centre, Brisbane, on the evening of Tuesday 21 October 2014.

Wanderlust by PressNorth Printmakers

Flying Arts CEO, Stephen Clarke kicked off the proceedings speaking about the collaboration  between the three arts organisations, PressNorth Printmakers, Umbrella Studio of Contemporary Arts and Flying Arts. I was invited to speak after Judy Watson about PressNorth Printmakers. In my speech I highlighted the importance of working in partnership with arts organisations in our region and beyond. PressNorth Printmakers do not have a headquarters to call home, relying on working in partnership to hold exhibitions and run workshops for our members.

Wanderlust by PressNorth Printmakers

PressNorth Printmakers is a not-for-profit artist-run-initiative promoting innovative printmaking, fostering excellence, inspiration and transferable skills engaging with local, national and international communities.  Its members are a diverse group of professional, mid career, emerging artists, tertiary and other education personal, art workers, curators, studio managers and enthusiasts with a majority living in Townsville, although we also have members from Mackay, Cairns and Brisbane.

To view the full exhibition click here 

To read about Angela Cheung's experience of our trip to Brisbane to install Wanderlust click on the link http://umbrella.org.au/blog/

Thank you Townsville City Council for your financial support through the Grants of Excellence in the Cultural Development, assisting with costs to travel to Brisbane and speak at the opening launch.