
While compiling our exhibition What is Printmaking? we came across an interesting fact: the first printing press in South Africa arrived in the Cape in 1664. The focus of this, and other early presses, was the printing of religious texts, but the date does mark the beginning of the vast and rich history of mechanised printmaking in the country. In fact, printmaking as a dynamic component of the visual arts is far older than the landing of this press and has its roots in ancient Chinese woodblock prints. Today printmaking techniques encompass many intricate and alchemical methods, encompassing historic and ever-expanding contemporary practices, such as digital printmaking which expands the boundaries of experimentation and expression within this art form.
The 20th Century saw the development of various printmaking techniques as artists began to use the art form as a means of resilience, addressing political and social issues in South Africa. Many artists used printmaking as a tool to disseminate and spread important information through political posters.
Contemporary and traditional techniques of printmaking continue to evolve with the development of modern technologies and the heritage of printmaking in South Africa remains an important part of the country’s artistic landscape.
Each technique shown on our exhibition What is Printmaking? – etching, lithography, screenprinting, woodcuts and linocuts– allows for a particular visual language and a distinct mark-making. We regularly have discussions with collectors about how to recognise printmaking and to understand how works are made, so this exhibition is an informative one. It shares the diverse means of making in these various methods and contributes to shared knowledge about the rich and distinctive art form that is printmaking. You’ll see works in these techniques and begin to identify the artist’s process.
Many artists are constantly finding new ways to develop their own image-making. The printmaking methods chosen for this exhibition are intrinsic to each artist’s image.
Peter Clarke, in his woodcut work The Wind, shows the impalpable nature of wind; how it moves us, how it moves things and its strength against the human body. In her intricately etched work, Run with the hare and hunt with the hounds, Claire Gavronsky portrays the movements of a hunt with fine, etched lines interweaving a frenzied composition of animal and human bodies. Sibusiso Mvelase carves into linocut a mass of water; with only a few, circular lines around the feet of four figures, the artist acutely distinguishes water as something nearly stiff and consuming in its force.
If you’ll be visiting Tokara Winery at this busy time of year, remember to book for a meal at Tokara Restaurant- Chef Carolize Coetzee recently won a Plate Award for consistently producing a world-class experience for their guests. You can see our exhibition while enjoying a glass of wine!
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