Proposal Abstract

Aberystwyth Printmakers proposes an exhibition of selected members’ works that explore the theme of ‘Crossing Boundaries’.

Aberystwyth Printmakers is based in Aberystwyth, a beautiful university town situated on the west coast of Wales, UK. The group of 60 members promotes printmaking through workshops, exhibitions, talks and the provision of an excellent print workshop.

Ever since its invention, Print has been an ideal way to conceptually cross boundaries, being relatively cheap to produce in multiples, thereby being accessible to all. It has become an important democratic art form for the same reasons. It is physically easy to cross boundaries and being on paper, easy to transport. This exhibition will cross both geographical and cultural boundaries.

Our members have responded to the theme ‘Crossing Boundaries’ in varied and interesting ways. Below are some of their ideas for prints that would be made specifically for this exhibition:

• Physically crossing borders, the never-quite-thereness of travel.
• ‘Good fences make good neighbours’ Do boundaries define us?
• The ‘Thin Time’ —the name given in the ancient Celtic religion to the Autumn Equinox, when the boundary between the living and the dead is permeable.
• Bird migration across boundaries, focusing on the Osprey (a Welsh bird)
• An exploration of the boundaries between the natural world and the human world, specifically with regard to the historical ecology of the ancient Welsh landscape.

The works will all be printed on A3 paper to give an overall unity, but the images themselves will be very different and made with a variety of print techniques, notably lithography, etching, relief and collagraph.

There will be two prints from each of the 15 participating members. The works will be hung using magnets. This format was used successfully in our 2017 Impact exhibition – Cymru: Encounters.