New international exhibition will leave an impression on gallery visitor’s hearts

An exhibition almost two years in the making will open at Caloundra Regional Gallery on Thursday (September 19) and it’s sure to attract hundreds of visitors from near and far.

The Kyoto Hanga International Print Exhibition: Japan and Australia show cases the diversity and dynamism of printmaking in all its forms.

The exhibition features work by 24 Australian and 45 Japanese printmakers associated with two leading organisations - the Kyoto Hanga Executive Committee of Western Japan and the Print Council of Australia.

Every two years the Kyoto Print Exhibition Executive Committee partners with a country to present an international print exhibition. Previous exhibition partners have included China, Bulgaria, Thailand, United States, Poland, United Kingdom and Canada.

Print Council of Australia president Akky van Ogtrop said bringing together two countries situated in the Asia Pacific region with two different cultures was an exciting prospect.

“This exhibition displays the special connection between the printmaking communities of our two countries” Ms van Ogtrop said.

“The artists in this exhibition represent some of the best that Australia and the Kyoto regions of Western Japan have to offer and presents an expansive range of images and techniques which speak to the broad and constantly evolving art of printmaking.”

Sunshine Coast Council Arts Portfolio Councillor Rick Baberowski said it was excellent programming to secure this exhibition for Caloundra Regional Gallery.

“Exhibitions of this kind broaden our view of artistic achievement and are an opportunity to connect, compare and contrast international communities through the visual arts,” Cr Baberowski said.

“I commend the Gallery team on their foresight in recognising the importance of this exhibition and successfully bidding for it to come to our region; this is a great opportunity for an artistic dialogue between two Pacific regions.”

Kyoto Print Exhibition Executive Committee President, Professor Atsuhiko Musashi said these international shows gave gallery visitors a fresh insight into prints from each country.

“I am interested to know how Japanese prints will be received in Australia and the committee deeply appreciates Australian printmakers who kindly show their works in this exhibition.”

The exhibition will be on display until Sunday, November 10.

Accompanying the exhibition is an extensive program of printmaking workshops to be held at the gallery.

A two day International Print Symposium will be held on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 September, hosted by the University of the Sunshine Coast and the Print Council of Australia. Registrations:usc.edu.au/print-symposium

Public Programs

To book, please visit gallery.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Exhibitions/Kyoto-Hanga

Official Opening event

Date: Friday, September 20

Time: 5.30-8pm

Cost: Free

Linoprinting 101 with Kim Herringe

Date: Tuesday, October 8

Time: 9.30am – 3.30pm

Cost: $80

Details: Linoprinting is fun and easy, learn how to design, carve and print a one colour linocut print. By the end of this workshop you'll be equipped with the skills to confidently print simple images and designs on paper and fabric. Beginners welcome. Complimentary tea/coffee provided. BYO lunch.

Mono Print Workshop with Jason Murphy

Date: Tuesday, October 15

Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm

Cost: $95

Details: participants will explore narrative and create a symbol or symbols to construct their story. This process will include creating a stamp and experimenting with colour variation to achieve the narrative. Beginners welcome. Complimentary tea/coffee provided. BYO lunch.

Monoprinting (without a press) with Noela Mills

Date: Tuesday, October 22

Time: 10am – 3.30pm

Cost: $80

Details: Explore contact printing, found object relief printmaking and Chin-colle to create wonderful collaged prints. Beginners welcome. Complimentary tea/coffee provided. BYO lunch.

Cyanotype Printing with Raimond de Weerdt

Date: Monday, October 28

Time: 9am – 3.30pm

Cost: $80

Details: Use the simple process of cyanotype printing (also known as shadow graphs or blue prints) to create yourself some beautiful cyan blue prints. Complimentary tea/coffee provided. BYO lunch.

Drypoint with Chin-colle with Ulrike Sturm

Date: Tuesday, November 5

Time: 10am – 2pm

Cost: $80

Details: learn the method of drypoint printmaking, a technique that can produce results similar to etching, without the need for toxic chemicals such as acids. Attendees will use an etching press to make the prints. Suitable for beginner and experienced printmakers, ages 16+. Complimentary tea/coffee provided. BYO lunch.

Stamp Carving and Fabric Printing with Kay Watanabe

Date: Thursday, November 7

Time: 10am – 4pm

Cost: $95

Details: spend a fun day learning the basics of printmaking by carving stamps of your design and printing fabrics. Suitable for printmakers who want to learn printing on fabrics although no previous printmaking experience is required. Also suitable for quilters and other crafters who wish to create fabrics of their own design. Suitable for ages 18+. Complimentary tea/coffee provided. BYO lunch.

A Meeting of Cultures:Japan and Australia Print Symposium

To coincide with the exhibition, the University of the Sunshine Coast and the Print Council of Australia will host a two day Print Symposium, titled “A Meeting of Cultures: Japan and Australia” on Saturday, September 21 and Sunday, September 22. The symposium will provide a forum for the presentation and discussion of issues, ideas and research from the printmaking sphere by bringing together scholars, artists, and representatives from cultural institutions through keynote addresses, panel discussions and artist talks. Visit usc.edu.au/print-symposium for more information and to register.

The Kyoto Hanga International Print Exhibition and Symposium: Japan and Australia 2019 has been made possible with the generous support of the Queensland Government Regional Arts Development Fund, Argon Law, Sunshine Coast Council, the Australia-Japan Foundation, The Print Council of Australia, the Kyoto Hanga Executive Committee, the University of the Sunshine Coast and the Consul General of Japan (Brisbane).

Image credit: Janet Parker-Smith | State of Flux (detail) | 2019 | six colour screenprint with glitter | 60 x 60cm | Courtesy of the artist.