Showcasing the best in new British and international printmaking, the International Print Biennale 2011 is an extensive programme of exhibitions, events, activities and an international symposium taking place across Newcastle and the North East. It follows the success of the Northern Print Biennale in 2009 which was the first major project in the UK for 20 years concentrated on the diversity of contemporary printmaking.
With the Turner Prize opening at the Baltic in October, this is an exciting time for the North East. The International Print Biennale 2011 brings together 15 galleries with a rich and exciting programme. Exhibitions focus on historical and contemporary printmaking, with workshops and events for both adults and children. The Biennale centres around the 2011 Print Awards which features leading international artists working in the medium of print.
This year's highlights include:
Laing Art Gallery / Hatton Gallery / Northern Print - 2011 Print Awards
The centerpiece of the International Print Biennale, the 2011 Print Awards showcases the best printmaking today from 47 international artists. Selected by Patrice Cotensin, Galerie Lelong, Paris; Peter Randall-Page, artist; and Mike Taylor, Paupers Press.
17 September – 19 November 2011.
www.northernprint.org.uk
Queens Hall Arts Centre - Good Times, Bad Times, All Times Get Over
Thomas Bewick/ Graham Gussin/ Lutz and Guggisberg/ Bedwyr Williams, curated by Jonathan Watkins, Director, Ikon Gallery. Centred on the wood engravings of the acclaimed eighteenth century artist, Thomas Bewick. An homage to a great historical figure, this exhibition is both a fresh look at his extraordinary artistic output and an encounter with work by another four artists who might one day be revered as he is.
15 October – 19 November 2011.
www.queenshall.co.uk
The Bowes Museum - Heart of Progress
Industrial Prints from the Eckblad Collection, USA
Examining the legacy of coal, iron, and steam through prints and posters drawn from one of the most extensive private art collections associated with industry and labour. Featuring 18th and 19th century English and French landscapes, and post-impressionist images from the golden age of French printmaking in the 1890s.
17 Septemeber – 15 January 2011.
www.thebowesmuseum.org.uk
DLI Museum and Durham Art Gallery – Ink on Paper
Hole Editions is a collaborative lithography workshop in Newcastle upon Tyne. This exhibition brings together a recent selection of the regional, national and international artists who have printed and published lithographs at Hole Editions, including 2011 Turner Prize nominee George Shaw.
5 November – 15 January 2011.
www.durham.gov.uk/dil
BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art – Noma Bar: Cut It Out
Award winning graphic artist Noma Bar will be creating an amazing, interactive artmaking machine for his event, Cut It Out. Featuring a specially commissioned, Heath Robinson-esque embossing device/ sculpture in the shape of a giant dog, visitors can feed paper, rubber and other materials into its mouth to produce their own cut-out Noma Bar prints.
14 – 18 October 2011.
www.balticmill.com
Newcastle Arts Centre – Nous Vous: Odd Collection
Odd Collection is an exhibition of new print work by Nous Vous collective, inspired by and promoting various philosophical and motivational ideas. It is part of an ongoing series of simple, direct graphic prints based on found philosophies, positive thinking, creative processes, everyday experiences and the collaborative nature of Nous Vous' practice.
14 – 29 October 2011.
www.design-event.co.uk
Vane – Adam Burns / Simon Le Ruez
Newly commissioned print editions by Adam Burns and Simon Le Ruez. Produced in collaboration with Newcastle-based printmaking workshops – Northern Print and Hole Editions respectively – these new print commissions coincide with solo exhibitions giving the opportunity to explore their printed works alongside work in other media.
20 October – 17 December 2011.
www.vane.org.uk
Gallery North – Two Peacocks
Two Peacocks is a collaborative installation at Gallery North, Northumbria University organised by John Walter and supported by Arts Council England. This takes the form of a Department Store, questioning received notions of the white cube, using a range of media including print media, printed wallpapers, photography and publications.
4 – 24 November 2011.
www.twopeacocks.co.uk
The International Print Biennale opens tomorrow and continues until 19 November. Please check venue websites for full details and opening times.
internationalprintbiennale.org.uk.
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Image:
Bodil Frendberg
Courtesy the artist
