Printmaking
Printmaking combines traditional methods of working with the
poetic materials of polished metals, rosin from pine trees, liquid
tar, wax, limestone from Bavaria, while exploring the printed image
and developing conceptual skills.
Students in the Printmaking studio specialisation in the School of Art, Architecture and Design operate as a community that learns in groups and facilitates creative problem solving and image generation. They work on set and individual projects that both explore traditional printmaking techniques and encourage them to push the boundaries of paper, metal, wood, mesh, stone and printing ink, producing editions of prints, installations and works combining image and text.
Courses offered
Etching and Intaglio (VSAR 2055)
An introduction to the techniques and practice of etching/intaglio. Set projects reflect a variety of etching techniques and encourage the use of these in an individual, expressive manner. Also covered is the history and theory of the medium, plate preparation, the application of grounds, the use of acids to create line and tone, editioning in black and white and in colour. More details (timetables, unit value and learning resources)
Lithography (VSAR 2056)
A workshop-based introduction to lithography. More details (timetables, unit value and learning resources)
Relief Printmaking (VSAR 2058)
A practical introduction to a range of relief printmaking techniques. Set projects deal with both the acquisition of appropriate technical skills and the development of ideas and concepts, history and theory of the medium, linocut, woodcut, monoprint, ink preparation, hand and press printing techniques, editioning, health and safety issues. More details (timetables, unit value and learning resources)
Screen printing (VSAR 2059)
Set projects which reflect a variety of screen printing techniques & which encourage the use of these in an individual, expressive manner, history and theory of the medium, screen preparation, use of direct/hand drawn and indirect/photographic stencils, mixing of inks, printing surfaces, printing and editioning techniques, health and safety issues. More details (timetables, unit value and learning resources)
Printmaking Image and Text (VSAR 2057)
Selection of text, typographic implications, designing related images, sequencing of image and text, simple book construction techniques, printing papers, printmaking techniques including relief, photopolymer plates & a range of alternative processes such as photocopy transfers, stamps and rubbings. More details (timetables, unit value and learning resources)
Staff
Studio Head:
Marea Atkinson
Technical Officer:
Shaw Hendry
Studio facilities
The Printmaking Studios provide excellent facilities and the area offers a range of subjects that introduce students to the areas of screenprinting, relief, lithography, etching and alternative print processes. Students can continue with courses which allow for the development and combining of printmaking techniques, using hand-drawn, photographic and digitally created imagery.
Etching
The well equipped Etching Studio has two electric etching presses, three large manual presses and two smaller manual presses. There are facilities for etching large plates in nitric acid, an aquatint box, two hotplates, gas facility for heating aquatint, a large sink for soaking paper, with drying mats for pressing finished prints. There are glass-topped work benches and large tables for working, a large drying rack, a metal guillotine for cutting plates and a washing machine for washing blotting towels.
Lithography
In the spacious lithography studio there are two graining sinks with levigators, a large collection of litho stones with a range of sizes with ample storage facilities, two electric presses, two manual presses, one electric hoist, two manual hoists, a paper guillotine, inks, inking slabs and leather rollers, a water sink and two large drying racks.
Relief printmaking
The relief printmaking studio has two historic platten presses for lino and wood cuts with printing rollers, inking tables, a small jack press, a large drying rack and a light table.
Screenprinting
The screenprinting studio has a large screen printing table with storage underneath. There are also smaller printing tables, with ink storage cabinet, screens in various sizes, and squeegees, a large drying rack, washout facilities with a sink and aquajet spray booth, an exposing table and a dark room for coating screens.
Collation/Seminar room
This facility has a projection screen, a video/TV facility with numerous tables and chairs for seminars, finishing work and collation. There are storage facilities for prints with numerous plan drawers and lockers for individual storage of materials.
Honours Studio
There is a facility for Honours students specialising in Printmaking and studio space for installation and experimental work in printmaking. Individual work spaces include tables, pinboards, desks, plan drawers and cabinets for storage.
Useful links
DBVS Bachelor of Visual Arts (Specialisation) (UniSAnet)
General Art Glossary (UniSA)
News and events
Marea Atkinson, Studio Head Printmaking, School of Art, Architecture and Design, was selected as a finalist in the World Year of Physics Art Prize, exhibited at Macquarie University Art Gallery 15 December to 25 January 2006.
Marea Atkinson exhibited in the Thread Counts Project at GASP Gallery, Boston, with the official opening on 25 February 2006 in conjunction with the major US event, 94th Annual College Art Association Conference in Boston.
In November 2003 Larissa Rogacheva-Fraser received a certificate of commendation from the Australian Decorative and Fine Arts Society for her work in printmaking.
Since 1997 Marea Atkinson, Studio Head, and her students have created inclusive, international print projects exploring the themes of travel, peace, sound, text, astronomy, mail art, visual art, art and text, wine and gastronomy. Approximately 250 prints have been exhibited in England, Italy and USA. The Print Studio has also responded to invitations from the local community in Adelaide including curators and initiatives at the Marion Cultural Centre (formerly the Red House Gallery), the IAPMA Paper Conference at the Convention Centre, the Bay Street Gallery, the Barossa Wine Show, the Pepper Street Gallery and has shown at the UniSA City West Library for the University's Open Day in August 2003.
The Space Project 2 - Oxford University Museum, England, August, 2003
'The truth is that the student prints from the Printmaking Studio at the South Australian School of Art (now the School of Art, Architecture and Design) exhibited in The Space Project 2 exhibition, curated by Marea Atkinson shown at the Oxford University Museum were honest, sensitive and rendered with care and professionalism. In my opinion these works held their own... in the conference exhibitions program.' Daniel Oberti ( February 16, 2004 ) Sculptor, CAL, USA.
Rivers and Bridges Exhibition Laredo College, Texas, 2002
'I want to thank you and your group for that fantastic poRTFolio of prints that you sent to the Rivers and Bridges Show. The high quality of the work and the fact that it came from so far away made a big impression on our students and faculty.' Gary Brown (April 2, 2003) Art Instructor Laredo Community College, Texas, USA.
Driving the Dream, Chesterton Art Gallery, USA, October 2001
'As the curator of the exhibition: Driving the Dream: Route 66, to celebrate the 75th Anniversary, I was very pleased and honored to have the contribution from the Printmaking Studio, at the South Australian School of Art [now the School of Art, Architecture and Design]. The studio's Route 66 Project Suite of prints were very prominent as viewers entered the gallery. Beside the quality of work, the thing that impressed me were the artists' statements that required the artists to be aware of the importance of this road in America's history, and also required them to reflect on their own lives in relationship to travel within their homelands... 150 works were selected for exhibition from 15 countries and 22 states. It was a pleasure to have the South Australian School of Art studio project included.' Leslie Cefali ( April 26, 2002 ) Curator, Driving the Dream, Chesterton Art Gallery, Indiana, USA.