Collaborations: Aberystwyth Paper Press Print 2012

APPP is a portfolio celebrating the diversity of printmaking from traditional to digital. Each of the 30 professional artists, staff and students participating in this project have at some time, had contact with the print studio at The School of Art Aberystwyth between 2000-2012. Artists were encouraged to be experimental and processes used include combination of print media, traditional and digital processes, hybrid prints as well as more inter disciplinary activity such as prints developing from photography, film and video. Artists were also asked to reflect upon their own practice and to produce a print that is representative of their current work.

During this period  the print studio at the School of Art Aberystwyth developed to become one of the foremost printmaking facilities in the UK. The studio continues to provide excellent facilities for all forms of printmaking including intaglio, relief printing, screenprinting and lithography and also embraces photography, film, animation and digital printing. Aberystwyth has a long tradition of supporting and encouraging the practice of printmaking through education, providing opportunities to study at BA, MA and PhD levels.

At the School of Art research is important  - with emphasis particularly upon the history of graphic art, the development of new processes in etching, lithography and relief printing. The Aberystwyth University Collection has an archive of over 10,000 prints, drawings and photographs and the galleries regularly host both touring and in-house curated shows of historical and contemporary prints by leading practitioners of national and international repute.

In recent years collaboration with visiting artists has become an integral part of the education programme, with the opportunity for practical demonstrations, workshops in specific printmaking techniques and collaborative print projects. International links with The Department of Fine Art at The University of Arizona in Tucson has further provided opportunities for exchange exhibitions, portfolios and projects.

The portfolio was finally curated during 2012 and 35 complete sets were put together - with each of the thirty artists receiving a set. Of the remaining five sets, one was donated to the Aberystwyth University Collection, another was sent to the Art Museum at The University of Arizona in Tucson and a third set was received by the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. The portfolio was framed and exhibited during March 2013 at Lansdown Hall, Stroud as part of the IMPRESS International Print Festival organised by Gloucester Printmakers Cooperative (see photographs above). The portfolio was also exhibited during November 2013 at The Gas Gallery in Aberystwyth.