Guanlan Original Printmaking Base

Guanlan, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province China

Sunday 23 - Sunday 30 August 2015

In August - following the opening of the exhibition Alphabets and Amulets at Shenzhen Fine Art Institute, I was fortunate to spend a week at The Guanlan Original Printmaking Base. Located approximately 40 minutes from the centre of Shenzhen and situated within a 300 year-old Hakka village set in farmland, The Guanlan Original Printmaking Base is possibly one of the most unique, exceptional print workshops in the world.

Established in the memory of the Chinese woodcut artist, Chen Yanqiao (1911 - 1970) who was born in the nearby village of Niuhu in Guanlan, the centre was developed as a collaborative enterprise between The China Artists Association, The Shenzhen Federation of Literary and Art Circles and Local Government Agencies. From the outset, the Base was set up to provide world-class facilities for all forms of printmaking including relief printing, etching, lithography, screenprinting and digital. Since opening in 2008 the Base has developed a  reputation for excellence and has fast become a prestigious and highly desirable destination for artists from across China and abroad. Today the Base offers visiting artists, accomodation, studio and workshop space and technical support in all areas.

The Base is also responsible for The China Guanlan International Print Biennial, which is held every other year at the magnificent modern Guanlan Print Art Museum  - just fifteen minutes walk from the workshop. This stunning building houses an ever-expanding collection of international printmaking - including works that have been selected from the Biennial exhibitions, as well as those that have been donated by artists working at the Base.

The 300 year-old Hakka village at the Base is quite extensive and provides units for retail as well as housing for those artists who are working at the studio. Artists in residence can apply to stay at the Base for varying periods of time. Whilst I only had time to spend a week at the Base - there were several artists who had spent several weeks over the summer and had had the opportunity to make a substantial portfolio of prints. The village also has an excellent bookshop, artists materials shop and several private studios and galleries.

For further information contact Guo Qingwen at: http://www.guanlanprints.com/en/