Printmaking – Artizan Editions – Meet the Printer
Fine art screenprinters, Artizan Editions, established in 1994 in Brighton have recently moved to new premises in rural Gloucestershire. The studio continues to focus on original printmaking in it’s collaboration with a wide diversity of artists, including Bridget Riley, Brian Rice, Graham Dean, Martyn Brewster, Stella Maris and Henrik Simonsen. Continuing to promote the ethos of the Arts and Crafts Movement, owner Sally Gimson believes in the importance of creative manual work and art as a way of life.
Sally spent her formative years growing up in one of the houses designed by Ernest Gimson the inspirational architect and craftsman. It is no surprise therefore that the family traditions remain at the forefront of her work. Art collectors and artists alike, inspired by the application of this philosophy, elucidate the lasting popularity of Artizan Editions and endorse Sally’s continued commitment to traditional printmaking.
The fusing of the artist’s creative imagination with skilled guidance of the printmaker evolves these original works on paper, which may be a monotype or small edition. As Sally explains, “at Artizan we work with many artists to translate a diverse and varied range of ideas to fruition. Each print is conceived in a unique way, it is like a sort of alchemy. It’s a great joy to be able to work with such a huge variety of artists and is continually rewarding to learn as much from them as they learn from us.”
Original prints have significant advantages for all. For the artist and printmaker there are the differing possibilities and challenges inherent in working within the techniques of printmaking. An artist may choose to create a singular work, however when selecting a print medium they can also create multiples of their concepts. The attraction to the purchaser is that they can buy original works from artists at a fraction of the cost of a canvas.
Berlin based Danish artist Henrik Simonsen, has been making pieces with the workshop for over ten years, his new work ‘Hemlock Blue’, uses 20 layers of hand drawn artworks, with hand mixed oil-based colours. Henrik explains, ”Each colour brings its own personality and atmosphere, change a colour in a piece and you change every colour and all their internal relationships, colour changes everything.”
Artizan Editions provide a valuable bespoke screenprint service for many artists and publishers, including a long-term relationship with renowned international artist Bridget Riley, who has commissioned Sally for her screenprinted editions for over 21 years.
St. Pancras Editions worked with Artizan Editions on a project to translate the late Gerald Laing’s 1960’s painting of Jean Harlow, to the screenprint medium, under Gerald’s guidance. He commissioned many works from the workshop including ‘The Kiss’, ‘Gethsemane’ and ‘Belshazzar’s Feast’ all featuring Amy Winehouse.
To discover more about Artizan Editions and to view original screenprints created at the workshop, visit www.artizaneditions.co.uk.
View all prints at Artizan Editions here.