BJH Opening @ Moving Gallery

Here are a few photographs (courtesy of the Moving Gallery) from the opening of Ben Jeans Houghtons show "On Arka" on the evening of Thursday 1st April.

Demo & printing at Rowan University

While on a visit to the US for Philagrafika and the Southern Graphics Council conference, I was delighted to be invited to Rowan University by David Vaccaro, lecturer in printmaking.

Along with Jeremy Leckenbusch, my host and fellow Tamarind Institute graduate, we conducted an afternoon demonstration to the undergraduates on the printmaking program. The artist was student John Mitchell, who allowed us to process and proof his plate. It was thoroughly enjoyable to meet and talk to the students. We did well in keeping the pizza feast away from the press area.

We returned to assisted John in the editioning of the two runs for his print, a pale flat followed by the key. John is continuing with lithography and hopes to attend Tamarind's Summer Workshop next year.


















Photo credit: Joanna Drzaszcz

Ben Jeans Houghton: On Arka: Poster

Mark Dion: Signing edition

Had an interesting and relaxing day in New York, drinking coffee and catching up with friends, Deborah & Jeremy. Then headed to the Tanya Bonakdar Gallery to meet Mark Dion and Robert Williams (University of Cumbria), for Mark to sign his completed edition "Tropical Collectors." After which I was privileged to be introduced to Sarah Suzuki, Assistant Curator of Prints and Illustrated Books at MoMA and to hear Mark discuss the history of his printmaking career to students from the School of Visual Arts.

Photo credit: Jermey Leckenbusch

Ben Jeans Houghton: On Arka

Ben Jean Houghton
'On Arka'
1st ~14th April 2010

Moving Gallery
67b Westgate road, Newcastle city centre
Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom

Preview- 1st April 2010
Doors 6-8ish

The print is a silent witness. Whether deliberate, as with a constructed print, or involuntary (a fingerprint, the impression left on a pillow in the morning), a print is always the tangible evidence left from a past action, now gone. It seems significant therefore that Ben Jeans Houghton's new edition of prints were germinated by a double absence. First of all, by his discovery of a discarded collection of illustrations (the author absent or gone), and secondly, by the subject matter of these illustrations: cadavers in the Newcastle University morgue (the body without the presence of self).

The atmospheric virtue of this series of prints doesn't just lie in the myth of their origins however, but in their sublime and delicate rendering. The Series begins as a literal, figurative transcription from the found illustrations and original cadavers which Jeans Houghton visited in the Morgue. Then with the idiosyncratic trepidation and wonder of an artist exploring his subject on the edge of discovery, Jeans Houghton's images become increasingly volatile. The recognisable, figurative human elements (simultaneously beautiful and horrible) rupture and destabalize as the images become permeated with the mists of the unknown, and the imaginary.

While the series begins as a witness to real death, these prints do not depict fear or explicit horror but instead they speak of a latent divine, and the corporeal, which exists at the border of ourselves, our imagination, and non-existence.

Copy > Iris Aspinall Priest

Graham Firth: Exhibition at Doncaster Museum & Art Gallery

Graham Firth: Prints
@ Doncaster Museum and Art Gallery (What's on .pdf)
27 March – 23 May 2010
Preview is on Sunday March 28th from 2pm-4pm

"Local printmaker Graham Firth has a humorous and quirky view of the modern world which he expresses through his beautiful hand - made prints. Winner of Doncaster Museum & Art Gallery’s Open Art exhibition in 2007, Graham will be showing a selection of lino cuts, lithographs and working drawings, many of which take as their subject the street life of Doncaster."



Artist page > Graham Firth

Carla Bromhead: Signs editions

It was a delight on this soggy Saturday to have Carla return to the studio. A hot cup of tea was waiting for her. Plenty of time to dry off, have a catch up and sharpen her favourite pencil before getting down to the business of signing the completed editions of her three lithographs 'Albert,' 'Cecil' and 'Derek.'

Demonstration at Northern Print

This evening we'll be giving a short photo-litho demonstration - pop along and see a new piece by Ben Jeans Houghton being proofed. Ben will also hopefully be present.


Photo credit: Narbi Price

"Drop-in on Northern Print this Thursday 18th February, 6-8pm & find out all you want to know about printmaking at the studio. There will be printing demonstrations by Eunice Routledge (Etching) and Lee Turner (Photo-Lithography) & staff on-hand to answer any questions you have about the studio & courses. Refreshments will be available to enjoy while you browse the current show illustrating different printmaking methods. It's free & there's also the added bonus of a 10% discount on any course bookings you make on the night!. Hope we'll see you there..."

New Artist - Ben Jeans Houghton

On the 1st Feb Ben Jeans Houghton arrived at the studio to begin a new body of work. Ben has been drawing on stones using pencils and autographic ink. This project has been made possible with the support of the Business Collectors Network.






Photo credit: Ben Jeans Houghton

Peter J Evans: Making Twenty

A cold damp January evening sees the start of the hand drawn portion of Peter J Evans' box set 'Making Twenty.' I paid him a visit at his studio to watch and assist with the first set. His drawing board is set with registration tapes and acetate, pencils are shuffled, with a sharpener at the ready. On a separate bench next to him is the mountain of prints ready to be drawn on to with approximately 3,700 squares. Behind him is another surface ready for the completed pieces. Tunes are playing in the background.