Introduction
The Original Print Place/ Y Lle Print Gwreiddiol is a social enterprise and is in the process of registering as a not for profit company by guarantee. It will be set up by Eirian Llwyd, Jane Marchesi and Lauren Burgess. We will promote Printmaking as an important art form and began by selling original prints at the National Eisteddfod of Wales in 2011. Over 40 printmakers participated at the event and this exposure led to Y Lle Print artists to exhibit at other venues and individual printmakers to have solo exhibitions.
Jane and Eirian with Derek Brockway
We are experienced printmakers who feel passionately that an important art form, printmaking is not given the recognition that it deserves. Our experiences in meeting and talking to printmakers from all over Wales reveal that there is a sense of frustration at not being able to sell work because of a public perception of what is meant by a fine art print. There is a general lack of knowledge, even amongst some art gallery owners and curators about printmaking processes and techniques and their importance in the history of art.
We want to use our skills to promote and sell works by Welsh Printmakers and to provide art lovers and investors with opportunities to see and purchase contemporary original prints.
The main aims of Y Lle Print are:-
- to inform the public about what is meant by an original print
- to develop more interest in the immense variety of original print works produced in Wales today and
- to promote these works as the investment potential that they are.
Robin McBryde
The National Eisteddfod of Wales
Over 40 artists submitted works to be exhibited at the Lle Print Exhibition. 5000 people visit the Exhibition Hall every day. 23 pieces of work were sold in one week. We believe that there is potential for further sales but this will depend on a permanent presence at the Exhibition Hall.
We made a number of contacts at the The Eisteddfod and Art Gallery curators and owners were invited to visit the Exhibition there. This resulted in:
- A North Wales artist being invited to produce a solo exhibition at a prestigious gallery in Cardiff.
- Y Lle Print exhibition in Y Capel Gallery,Llangollen, November 2011- March-2012
- Hospital exhibitions in North East Wales during April, May and June 2012
- Applications have been submitted to the Welsh Arts Council by the Rhyl Arts Centre and Wrexham Arts Centre to host Y Lle print Exhibitions in 2013.
- Being programmed to provide work for an exhibition at a private gallery in Llanfair PG in November 2012.
- We will aim to secure an exhibition space at the 2012 National Eisteddfod. Opportunities to submit work will be available next spring.
Following a meeting with a representative of Wales Arts International arrangements were made to discuss the possibilities of an International Welsh Print Exhibition.
We were informed of the opportunities available to develop International contacts. In brief International Arts Wales will support an all Wales exhibition and the development of on going contact or relationship with the country or countries involved.
Eisteddfod 2011
The Cardiff Print Festival – July- August- September 2012
Cardiff City Council are eager to include the visual arts as part of the annual Cardiff Festival and that grants would be available to support this endeavour.
We have made an application for a grant and are awaiting a decision. However there are opportunities to participate even with limited resources and they are as follows.
The National Museum and Art Galleries of Wales
Following a meeting with the Curator of Prints and Drawings at Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales there are exiting prospects of developing a full programme of events and talks. A series of Workshops will coincide with the Festival.
Exhibitions:
The following spaces have been secured
Oriel Canfas July - Swansea Print Workshop, August - Alun Hemmings - the exhibition will include prints. Mid August – mid September Y Lle Print.
National Museum of Wales shop and gallery
Oriel Kooywood Gallery An exhibition of print works for sale by artists such as Ceri Richards, Graham Sutherland, and Eric Malthouse will be set up to co incide with the Welsh Print Biennale at St David’s Hall in September. They are very interested in seeing contemporary prints produced in Wales to be considered for inclusion in this exhibition.
Some, if not most of the exhibitions will coincide or straddle the Festival and the Print Biennale in order to maximize marketing and publicity opportunities.
Conclusion
It has been an exhilarating experience for us to meet enthusiastic and talented printmakers from all parts of Wales. There are people in influential positions who are eager to promote Welsh printmaking. We believe that the time is overdue for there to be a formalised cooperative structure that will represent Welsh based printmakers. This desire is most profoundly expressed, but not exclusively, in the four main print centres – The Regional Print Centre Wrexham, the Aberystwyth Printmakers, The Swansea Print Workshop and the Cardiff Print Workshop. Summer 2011 The National Eisteddfod
Eisteddfod 2011