Sanctuaries Exhibition at Hornsby Library

The Press Gang's next exhibition, Sanctuaries,  will open soon at the Hornsby Library Gallery Space.

The exhibition will be officially opened by Joanna Joyce, Community Development Officer Arts/Cultural Plannning, Hornsby Shire Council on Saturday 1st November 2014 at 1.30pm.

The Press Gang 3 years on...

Printmaking is renowned for being a collaborative activity; studios and workshops play a crucial role in the development of artists’ concepts and techniques in print.

In July 2011 the Wallarobba Arts and Cultural Centre opened with a print studio included. From the first weeks, response to the opportunity of a community print studio was very positive with numbers around 12 to 18 including printmakers, painters, graphic artists, photographers and talented first timers.

It has been a busy and enjoyable three years of printmaking on Fridays and the mediums used have been varied ranging from the traditional to very experimental and yet all output has fitted in with the fairly compact studio.

The studio caters for two of the principal categories of printing method: Relief Printing – linocuts, woodcuts and monotypes. Intaglio Printing – etchings, dry-point, solar-plates, collagraphs and carborundum prints as well as several combinations of more than one technique, referred to as Mixed Media. Other categories such as Screen Printing and Lithography are not carried out due to their specialized nature.

Our upcoming exhibition Sanctuaries, gains inspiration from many aspects of the conservation and preservation of nature, especially through protected area management and bush regeneration associated with parks and reserves. This theme is particularly meaningful for the group, as collectively most base their artworks on flora and fauna regularly. Each member of the group has individually interpreted issues regarding threatened species and habitat and their regeneration.

From the Studio - Friday March 7th

"Fungi" - collagraph print by Vivien Christian

"Notes in Pears" drypoint etching (and inked plate, above)  by Liz Thomas

Colours of the Australian Landscape - June Lord prepares a plate ready for a mono print

Birds in collage - made with remnants from the "Indigo" staircase installation by Michelle Mabbott

Indigo and beyondblue

This certificate was sent to us from beyondblue as a thank you for our donation last year. Money was raised from contributions at our Indigo Opening night & supper event. Thank you to all the visitors to our exhibition who kindly donated. Every little bit helps!

Images from Indigo & Moku Hanga