Platemark: prints and the printmaking ecosystem – Détails, épisodes et analyse

In this episode of Platemark, host Ann Shafer talks with renowned printmaker Jenny Robinson who recently opened up her eponymous print shop in Sydney, Australia.

Jenny shares her experiences moving from America to Slovenia during the Trump era, integrating into Slovenia's printmaking community, and ultimately relocating to Sydney, Australia, to establish her print atelier. We talk about the challenges of getting different materials and the cultural contrasts in the art scenes of America, Europe, and Australia, backing and seaming prints with gampi (thanks to Paul Mullowney’s tutelage), flying with rolled prints in golf bags (for free!), and the Mario Avati Prize, which led to a one-person exhibition in the Institut de France in Paris, across the river from the Louvre.

The episode also touches upon the extensive network and collaborative spirit of printmakers and Jenny's summer residency at Flatbed Press in Austin, TX. Throughout the conversation, Jenny emphasizes the significance of artist visits, educational resources in art, and her ambitions for large-scale prints and workshops in her new Sydney studio.

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International Center of Graphic Arts (Mednarodni grafični likovni center), Ljubljana, Slovenia. Photo by Jaka Babnik.

Jenny Robinson (British, born 1957). Architectural Anomalies Series #2: Cornerstone. Drypoint on Gampi. 40 x 60 in. Courtesy of the Artist.

Jenny Robinson (British, born 1957). Palm House Series #2: The Glass House. Drypoint on Gampi. 137 x 300 cm. Courtesy of the Artist.

Jenny Robinson pinning up Palm House Series #2: The Glass House.

Jenny Robinson (British, born 1957). Palm House #1, 2021. Drypoint on Gampi. 137 x 300 cm. Courtesy of the Artist.

Jenny Robinson (British, born 1957). Paradigm. Drypoint on Gampi, backed with Sekishu. 60 x 80 in. Courtesy of the Artist.

Jenny Robinson (British, born 1957). Above L.A. Drypoint and monoprint. Sheet: 51 x 34 in. Courtesy of the Artist.

Jenny Robinson (British, born 1957). Hidden Lines, Fragile Frameworks, 2021, Drypoint on Gampi and Mulberry paper. Each: 150 x 98 cm. Courtesy of the Artist.

Jenny Robinson’s converted warehouse home, Sydney.

Jenny Robinson was awarded the Mario Avati Prix de Gravure in 2019. Solo exhibition took place at Le Pavillion comtesse de Caen, Academie des Beaux Arts, September 2021.

Installation shot of Jenny Robinson’s exhibition for the Mario Avati Prix de Gravure, Le Pavillion comtesse de Caen, Academie des Beaux Arts, Paris, September 2021.

Institut de France, Paris, 2021.

Installation shot of Jenny Robinson (British, born 1957). Structures, 2019. Drypoint on Gampi. Courtesy of the Artist.

Jenny Robinson Print Studio, Sydney.

Jenny Robinson Print Studio, Sydney.

In s3e63 of Platemark, podcast host Ann Shafer talks with collaborative printer Peter Pettengill. Peter founded Wingate Studio in 1985 on his family’s dairy farm in Hinsdale, NH. Originally trained at Crown Point Press, Peter specializes in multi-plate color etchings. Now semi-retired, Peter’s son James has taken over the operating of the shop, though Peter lends a hand when requested.

They talk about Peter's early experiences at Crown Point Press, his work with celebrated artists such as John Cage, Sol LeWitt, and Walton Ford, and the technical and creative complexities of creating fine art prints. Peter reflects on his transition to semi-retirement, the passing of his studio to his son James, and the historical and artistic significance of their family farm turned artist residency. This episode offers listeners an insightful look into the dedication required in printmaking, the balance between creativity and technical skill, and the supportive community that underpins the art world.

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Robert Mapplethorpe (American, 1946–1989). Plate from the portfolio A Season in Hell, 1986. Photogravure printed with relief roll. Published by Limited Editions Club, photogravures by Jon Goodman and printed by Wingate Studio, text printed by Wild Carrot Press.

Sol LeWitt (American, 1928–2007). Crown Point, 1980. Bound volume with photoetchings. Plate (each) 2 ½ x 2 ½ in.; sheet (each) 11 x 11 in. Published by Crown Point Press, printed by Kevin Parker.

Joan Jonas (American, born 1936). Double Wheel, 1982. Color aquatint. Plate and sheet: 24 x 36 in. Published by Crown Point Press, printed by Peter Pettengill.

Sol LeWitt (American, 1928–2007). Complex Forms, 1990. Hard ground etching. Sheet: 36 x 36 in.; plate: 30 x 30 in. Printed by Wingate Studio.

John Cage (American, 1912–1992). Ryoku No. 4, 1985. Color drypoint. Plate: 18 x 24 in.; sheet: 18 x 24 in. Published by Crown Point Press, printed by Marcia Bartholme.

John Cage (American, 1912–1992). EninKa, 1986. One of 50 smoked paper monotypes with branding on gampi paper chine collé. Sheet: 18 ½ x 24 ½ in. Published by Crown Point Press, printed by Marcia Bartholme.

Walton Ford (American, born 1960). Swadeshi-cide, 1998–99. Six-plate aquatint etching with dry point, hard ground, soft ground, spit bite and sugar lift. Plate: 36 x 24 in.; sheet: 44 x 31 in. Published by Blue Heron Press, printed by Wingate Studio.

Walton Ford (American, born 1960). Baba–B.G., 1997. Mixed media. 105 x 74 cm. Paul Kasmin Gallery.

Walton Ford (American, born 1960). Bangalore, 2004. Six-plate aquatint etching with dry point, hard ground, soft ground, spit bite and sugar lift. Plate: 12 x 9 in.; sheet: 21 1/2 x 16 in. Published by Kasmin Gallery, printed by Wingate Studio.

Ambreen Butt (American, born Pakistan, 1969). Plate from Daughter of the East, 2008. Six-plate aquatint etching with chine collé, dry point and spit bite. Plate: 13 x 18 in. ; sheet: 25 x 19 in. Printed and published by Wingate Studio.

Ambreen Butt (American, born Pakistan, 1969). Plate from Daughter of the East, 2008. Six-plate aquatint etching with chine collé, dry point and spit bite. Plate: 13 x 18 in. ; sheet: 25 x 19 in. Printed and published by Wingate Studio.

Ambreen Butt (American, born Pakistan, 1969). Plate from Daughter of the East, 2008. Six-plate aquatint etching with chine collé, dry point and spit bite. Plate: 13 x 18 in. ; sheet: 25 x 19 in. Printed and published by Wingate Studio.

Xylor Jane (American, born 1963). Plate from Cat Hearts, 2023. Four-plate aquatint etching with sugar lift. Plate: 23 3/4 x 27 1/4 in.; sheet: 28 5/8 x 32 1/4 in. Printed and published by Wingate Studio.

Xylor Jane (American, born 1963). Third Order Magic Square for Deep Sleep, 2014. Three-plate aquatint etching. Plate: 17 3/4 x 15 1/2 in.; sheet: 24 1/2 x 21 3/4 in. Published by Wingate Studio.

Walton Ford (American, born 1960). Nantes, 2009. Two-plate aquatint etching with dry point, hard ground, and spit bite. Plate: 40 x 30 in.; sheet: 48 x 37 in. Published by Kasmin Gallery, printed by Wingate Studio.

Daniel Rios Rodriguez (American, born 1978). South Parish, 2017. Single-plate aquatint etching with burnishing, dry point, electric engraving, hard ground and soft ground. Plate: 20 x 17 in. (oval); sheet: 22 x 30 1/2 in. Published by Wingate Studio.

Gideon Bok (American, born 1966). Wingate Studio with Aldo’s Press, Threnody for R.L. Burnside, 2005. Three-plate aquatint etching with burnishing, dry point, hard ground, sugar lift and white ground. Plate: 12 x 36 in.; sheet: 20 x 44 in. Printed and published by Wingate Studio. Photo: Stephen Petegorsky.

Gideon Bok (American, born 1966). Wingate Studio with Aldo’s Press, No Sleep ’Til Hinsdale, 2008. Five-plate aquatint etching with burnishing, dry point, hard ground, sugar lift and white ground. Plate: 12 x 36 in.; sheet: 20 x 44 in. Printed and published by Wingate Studio. Photo: Stephen Petegorsky.

Louise Bourgeois (American, born France, 1911–2010). Les Fleurs, 2007. Soft ground etching, with selective wiping. Plate (in 2 vertical parts) (overall): 59 5/8 × 35 ¼ in.; sheet: 59 5/8 x 36 1/8. Published by Osiris, New York, printed by Wingate Studio.

Louise Bourgeois working on I See You!!!.

Louise Bourgeois (American, born France, 1911–2010). I See You!!!, 2007. Soft ground etching, with selective wiping. Plate: 55 1/2 x 21 5/8 in.; sheet: 59 1/8 x 24 1/8 in. Published by Osiris, New York, printed by Wingate Studio.

Sebastian Black (American, born 1985). Composition with Registration Marks and Other Marks, 2017. Five-plate aquatint etching with burnishing, soap ground and spit bite. Plate: 24 x 18 in.; sheet: 31 ¾ x 24 1/2 in. Published and printed by Wingate Studio.

L–R: Paul Singdahlsen, Peter Pettengill, Nanacy Anello, Kathan Brown, and Vito Acconci at Crown Point Press.

L–R: Peter Pettengill, Ed Ruscha, Marcia Bartholme at Crown Point Press.

Peter Pettengill (left) and James Pettengill working on a Sebastian Black print at Wingate Studio.

Peter Pettengill working at Wingate Studio.

Peter Pettengill (left) and Walton Ford working at Wingate Studio.

Wingate’s website: https://wingatestudio.com/

Wingate’s FB page: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=wingate%20studio

Instagram: @wingatestudio

In s3e56, Platemark host Ann Shafer introduces a five-part miniseries with the artists in 5X5, an exhibition that was part of PrintAustin 2024. First up is Briar Craig, one of five artists selected for inclusion in 5X5 by juror J. Myszka Lewis, curator at Tandem Press, University of Wisconsin–Madison. Briar is an artist and professor at University of British Columbia, Kelowna. He primarily works in screenprint, using found text and surprising juxtapositions. Ann and Briar talk about words and their unlikely combinations, Dada poetry, UV screenprints, his favorite color, and the only text-based tattoo that has tempted him so far.

Briar Craig (Canadian, born 1961). UTOPIAN VACUUM, 2017. UV screenprint. 40 x 28 in. Courtesy of the Artist.

Briar Craig (Canadian, born 1961). An Uncomfortable Situation Will Soon be Eased, UV screenprint. 40 x 28 in. Courtesy of the Artist.

Installation view of Briar Craig: README. January 29–April 17, 2022. Kelowna Art Gallery, Kelowna, BC, Canada.

Briar Craig (Canadian, born 1961). White Wash Privilege, 2014. UV screenprint. 40 x 28 in. Courtesy of the Artist.

Sam Gilliam (American, 1933–2022). 3 PM School Bus, 2018. Screenprint. 18 ½ x 51 ½. Published by Lily Press, Rockville, MD. All rights reserved. Courtesy of Lily Press.

Sam Gilliam (American, 1933–2022). 4 PM School Bus, 2018. Screenprint. 18 ½ x 51 ½. Published by Lily Press, Rockville, MD. All rights reserved. Courtesy of Lily Press.

Briar Craig (Canadian, born 1961). There Is Nothing You Can’t Do, 2017. Neon. 120 x 38 x 5 in. (305 x 97 x 12.5 cm.). Courtesy of the Artist.

USEFUL LINKS

Briar’s website www.briarcraig.com

Briar’s video about printing White Wash Privilege https://youtu.be/o-NCS2IwSGc?si=0b_PoHveHf98RvFN

In s2e2, co-hosts Ann Shafer and Tru Ludwig talk about Europe in the 15th century and the state of printmaking, the printing press, moveable type, and early woodcuts. This episode sets the stage for the rest of the story of the history of Western printmaking.

Platemark Series Two, History of Prints kicks off with Ann Shafer and co-host Tru Ludwig introducing the series. They talk about teaching the History of Prints (HoP) for the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) using the print collection at the Baltimore Museum of Art over the course of 15 years. They talk about how the class brought them together and about how transformative it was for hundreds of MICA's BFA students.

In the final episode in season one, Ann and Ben talk about the print ecosystem: collaborative printmaking, print publishing, galleries, art fairs, and the fabulous cast of characters that inhabit the print world.

Ann and Ben discuss the ballet that occurs in the printshop when the team is editioning a print. Everything is planned. Jigs are made. Everyone has their role. When it's running smoothly, it's sublime. Also, it's hard work.

Ann Shafer has a new podcast called The Curator's Choice in which she talks about one object (or set of set of objects) and why she likes it, how she would pitch it, and other behind-the-thinking stuff.

In s1e7, Ann and Ben finally turn to prints and printmaking, and evangelize about how wonderful prints are, why they are different and special, why it takes work to get over the hump of understanding technique to get to content. They discuss how technique can inform meaning, how the translation of an image from one surface to another only adds interest and conceptual rigor, and the ins and outs of multiplicity.

Editions are the topic of this bonus episode. Ann and Ben talk about the ins and outs of editions: definitions, numbering, exceptions, the publisher-artist relationship. It's definitely not simple.