‘Rick-Rack’ by Brian Rice, screenprint, edition of 45, 64 x 80cm
ARTIZAN EDITIONS
4-27 September 2014
Private View Wednesday 3rd September 6-8pm
Exhibiting artists include: Ian David Baker, Becky Blair, Duncan Bullen, Graham Dean, Gary
Goodman, Jeff Keen, Peggy Lock, Stella Maris, Katty McMurray, Brian Rice, Bridget Riley, Jim
Sanders, Henrik Simonsen, John Simpson, Richard Walker
Curwen Gallery’s long standing history with printmaking continues with this exhibition of
screenprints all created at Artizan Editions, one of only a handful of fine art print workshops working
in direct collaboration with artists. Here Original Prints are made, these being a way for artists to
create original art works that can be produced in a limited edition of multiples. As an editionned
work, the prints become far more affordable, something noteworthy in today’s financial climate.
Works by big name artists, such as Bridget Riley, are accessible without the huge price tag of an
original painting.
The prints at Artizan Editions are made through various techniques of mark making and colour
manipulation, allowing the artist’s direct input. Their creativity combined with the technical
knowledge and skill offered by Artizan Editions extends the possibilities and success of the finished
work. This collaborative aspect of artist and printer working together at Artizan is one echoed in
the history of the Curwen Gallery which began as part of the Curwen Print Studio.
The Curwen Studio was fashioned after the French Ateliers, and was one of the first places in Britain
where artists were able to work with professional printers to make artist’s prints. Before the
Curwen Studio was created, in 1958, artists were left working alone or with very limited technical
assistance and this inevitably resulted in the final work lacking the quality that could be achieved by
professional printers. Curwen Studio changed this, and artists were able to develop the process of
making their work into collaboration between artist and printmaker.
Artizan Editions works on this same principle, with an unswerving commitment to traditional
printmaking, combined with their skill and open mindedness to an artist’s creativity and vision, this
results in works with the quality of a professional specialist printer and still bearing the artists own
direct input. It is at times only through these collaborations that an artist can truly thrive and fully
achieve their desired result. This exhibition showcases the brilliance of this collaborative process
with a selection of screenprints of the many artists currently working with Artizan Editions.
‘Artemis’ by John Simpson, screenprint, edition of 55, 50 x 80cm
For press enquiries contact Natalie@curwengallery.com or call 0207 323 4700