Jo Lankester Recipiant - APW Regional Artist-in-Residence Project 2017

Australian Print Workshop Regional Artist-in-Residency project

I’m please to write of a recent professional development opportunity in Melbourne at the Australian Print Workshop (APW) as a recipient of the Regional Artist-in-Residence project between 16 November to 5 December 2017.

Australian Print Workshop 210 Gertrude St, Fitzroy, Vic 3065

Proposed Print Project: To make experimental studies of textured surfaces of the given environment in the form of Unique State Prints.

During this time, I enjoyed early morning walks to parks and gardens located close to the APW including the Fitzroy Gardens, Yarra Park and the Botanical Gardens. Stopping to make small drawings of the surface of gum trees then return to the studio and draw in my journal from memory of the observational drawing made in the park. Then in the APW Access Print Studio working from memory, I printed a series of monotype prints on Hahnemuhle 78 x 53cm, using etching ink and a copper plate 90 x 60 cm. Each memory exercise is a process that removes my mark making from the literal and becomes an intuitive process to making prints. The Monotypes were printed with up to 4 layers of colour using a subtractive approach to create the image.

Subtractive Monotype printing, printed by Jo Lankester in the APW Access Print Workshop

4 layered subtractive Monotypes, printed by Jo Lankester in the APW Access Print Workshop

In week two I was presented with a generous opportunity to create a Limited Edition Print with APW Senior Printer Simon White. We worked together to create a 4-colour plate lithograph printed on the FAG offset press, I drew on the prepared plates, which Simon then processed and printed. This was an amazing experience to work in a medium that I don’t have access to in Townsville or the skills to work in this medium unassisted. The technical guidance and skills provided by Simon White realised a beautifully printed edition of prints containing intricate marks and a subtle colour palette that tells a story of my physical, and artistic journey whilst in residence at the APW. 

Plate 1 of 4, Tusche Wash & crayon

3 layers of colour of 4 plate/4 colour Lithograph. Printed by Simon White, APW Senior printer. 

Key plate for Lithograph print (4 plate/4 colour)

Cortex-Botanic Gardens, Melbourne
Plate lithograph (4 plates/4 colour)
76 x 55cm | BFK 250gsm
Drawn by Jo Lankester and printed by Simon White, APW Senior printer.
This work resulted from an Artist-in-Residency project supported by Australian Print Workshop in 2017
This Unique State print can be purchased through the Australian Print Workshop.

The key Lithography plate was also printed on the dry surface of the 7 monotypes created in week one, in the APW Access Studio. The monoprints were then further worked on by myself in week 3 to created 3 x unique state diptych prints and I x APW unique state single sheet print.

Key Lithographic Plate printed on Monotypes to become Monoprints.

Drawn by Jo Lankester and printed by Simon White, APW Senior printer.

This work resulted from an Artist-in-Residency project supported by Australian Print Workshop in 2017.

Applying the final lines of colour in the APW Access Print Workshop

Cortex-Parliament Gardens, Melbourne

Drawn by Jo Lankester, printed by Jo Lankester & Simon White, APW Senior printer.

This work resulted from an Artist-in-Residency project supported by Australian Print Workshop in 2017.

This Unique State print can be viewed at the Australian Print Workshop.

Cortex-Botanic Gardens II, Melbourne

Drawn by Jo Lankester, printed by Jo Lankester & Simon White, APW Senior printer.

This work resulted from an Artist-in-Residency project supported by Australian Print Workshop in 2017

This Unique State print can be purchased through the Australian Print Workshop.

Cortex-Yarra park, Melbourne

Drawn by Jo Lankester, printed by Jo Lankester & Simon White, APW Senior printer.

This work resulted from an Artist-in-Residency project supported by Australian Print Workshop in 2017.

Cortex-Fitzroy Gardens, Melbourne

Drawn by Jo Lankester, printed by Jo Lankester & Simon White, APW Senior printer.

This work resulted from an Artist-in-Residency project supported by Australian Print Workshop in 2017.

In between printing the monoprints and working on the limited edition print, Cortex - Botanic Gardens, Melbourne, I produced 3 x small editions and a couple of trial proofs. These prints are what I call my drawing prints. I use only one element of the subject to focus on, usually the outer layer of textured bark and stains on a tree.

Additional small editions made and printed by Jo Lankester in the APW Access Print Workshop

This incredibly generous opportunity offered by the Australian Print Workshop also enabled me to make contact with professional practicing printmakers living, and working in Melbourne. The inner city location of the APW situated near commercial and state/national galleries allowed easy access for me to see exhibitions, attend exhibition openings, artist talks, and print studio launches. During my stay I built new connections and working relationships resulting in a true sense of connectedness with printmaking artists in Victoria reducing the sense of physical isolation through distance of living in regional North Queensland.

Thank you to the Australian Print Workshop Board, APW Directors and staff for this incredible opportunity to make new connections, and extend my knowledge of the print medium.