About the fair
Great to be exhibiting at the Woolwich Contemporary Print Open with the Centre for Print Research again this year. Over the past ten years, since its inception, Woolwich has become one of the highlights of the art world calendar, offering as it does a fantastic mix of art and print; both from a competitive open selection process, and the gallerists and dealers who curate stands there, in roughly equal measure.
The mix produces something that feels both innovative and quite unlike the more mainstream fairs. It's also a lovely opportunity to meet up with friends and associates as the autumn comes in, and the venue, Woolwich Works, fits the event perfectly with unusually generous amounts of space to move around and enjoy viewing the art without feeling either crowded or overwhelmed.
For the past three years I've been lucky enough to exhibit there with the Centre for Print Research, brilliantly run and managed by Professor Carinna Parraman and her top flight team of printmakers, academics and technicians.
The CFPR takes a stand at the fair each year to display the latest research and project work; well located between one of the two doorways through to the main event and the café bar. It's a good spot with lots of footfall and allows plenty of space for their highly innovative curatorial approach.
At some point during my residency the idea to create a modular display system for exhibition surfaced, built from timber uprights and plywood boards, it has now been fully realised as a beautifully crafted bespoke display system with a slightly Japanese 'bento box' aesthetic by senior technician Mike White. The CFPR's so called 'Cabinet of Curiosities'.
I have to admit I was a little sceptical at first, print work is more traditionally hung on the wall, but in fact over these first three outings at Woolwich Works, the stand has proved to be fantastically engaging and can be configured and reassembled to suit the wider nature of projects that the CFPR undertakes; from 3d print and ceramics to metal and glass editions. I hope the images I'm showing here do it some justice.
In addition to Woolwich, the cabinet can tour, or pop up, at various other events throughout the year, often with an educational slant, and creates an engaging window into the world of the CFPR's ongoing projects and research. I'm already looking forward to next year's visit.
Work in situ
Maelstrom Trinity is a catalogue of images offering a brief overview and synopsis of the residency I undertook at the Centre for Print Research, at the University of the West of England in 2022/23. Featuring a foreword by Andrew Southall, MA Visual Communication course leader at Bath Spa University; the catalogue was beautifully designed by Jason Merrifield and printed by Taylor Brothers here in Bristol.
Woolwich Contemporary Open Panel Discussion 2023
The Centre for Print Research, University of the West of England, in collaboration with the Woolwich Contemporary Print Open, organised a lively panel discussion to dicuss the CFPR’s residency programme and research work displayed at the fair. CFPR director Professor Carinna Parraman hosts the discussion with, from second left to right, master printmaker Laura Clarke, artist in residence Tracy Hill, artist in residence Chuck Elliott and senior technician Mike White.
Associated works
