The third annual Printopia Festival of Original Print will run from May 3-5 at the Corban Estate Arts Centre in Auckland.
Aimed at people interested in all aspects of original printing, the weekend offers a mix of fun and inspiration with talks, demonstrations, workshops, live printing, and a print fair.
Organiser Ina Arraoui says, “We are thrilled to have another outstanding line-up of artists delivering workshops on a range of print techniques that are non-toxic, experimental, and pushing the boundaries of print. These workshops are celebrating and supporting our print community, showcasing emerging, established, and senior artists.
“International artist Jenny Robinson will deliver the keynote presentation on the Saturday morning and a Masterclass on the Sunday afternoon. We will feature an engaging selection of free Print Talks and Demos that will give attendees an insight into contemporary printmaking in Aotearoa and beyond. This is a seated event, where you can sit, listen, take notes, and ask questions to our artists.
“The Demos give people the opportunity to learn about a particular artist’s approach to a specific printmaking technique, getting tips directly from the artist about materials, equipment, and process. The festival continues to grow, so we have expanded the space. We have added cyanotype and intaglio printing to the mix of free live printing activities, giving visitors a more hands-on experience of making your own print from start to finish. We will also feature our live screen-printing, letterpress, and relief printing.”
Special Printopia Events
Ina continues: “Whangārei artist Jasmine Horton (Ngati Tuwharetoa, Ngati Rangi, Te Ati Awa) will facilitate a free activity where you can discover the magic of creating your own Cyanotype print. As one of our drop-in activities in the Print Fair, this simple, non-toxic process uses just pre-treated paper, a UV Lightbox and water. Simply design your print, expose and rinse.
“As part of our Print Talk talk Series, we will welcome back Toi Whakaata artists; Alexis Neal, Faith McManus, Vanessa Wairata-Edwards, Gabrielle Belz and Jasmine Horton. In this wananga space, we will encourage discussion around new approaches to print.
“Master bookmaker Beth Serjeant will run ‘Building Books’, a workshop that will guide participants through three bookbinding techniques, starting with a simple concertina structure before moving to a basic pamphlet style booklet and finishing with an index book. Beth has an interest in the collaborative nature of words and images in the book format and has worked with Kiwi literary greats such as Keri Hulme and Hone Tuwhare. She has exhibited her books internationally with many of them now in collections in the National Library, Victoria University of Wellington, and the Auckland Public Library.”
