The 10^th Great Print Exhibition is now open in Rheged’s award-winning, destination Gallery. Showcasing over 1,000 original artworks from 59 UK artists, including 8 Cumbrian artists, the Great Print 10 exhibition is a joyful celebration of modern printmaking and the wider British printmaking community.

The exhibition was launched by print-making icon, Great Print contributor and Cumbrian native Alan Stones. In his opening comments, Alan reflected on the fact that printmaking as an artform has a well-established history in Cumbria; but that thanks to the hard work of fellow artists and more recently festivals and galleries such as Printfest and Rheged, the profile of the medium in the county is now enjoying astonishing recognition.

In his words:

“What I like most about this […] exhibition is that each artist shows six pieces of work. Normally we’re limited to one or perhaps two pieces in open exhibitions and the visitor is left wondering about the rest of that artist’s oeuvre. At the Great Print Exhibition, it’s not just the hors d’oeuvre we’re getting, it feels more like the full meal. […] Where else can we, as printmakers, show works for three months […] to a large audience that has come specifically to look at, and quite often to buy, original prints?”

Since opening over 2000 visitors have taken time out of the much-needed Spring sunshine to explore the diverse range of printmaking techniques and methods on display, including screenprint, etching, lino block, collagraph, and a special focus on the art of letterpress.

To mark this 10-year milestone, exhibiting artists were invited to create a print consisting of the numerical “X” each putting their own take and style on this. These prints form a focal point of the introductory room to the exhibition.

Additional highlights from the 10^th Anniversary Exhibition include:

• A spotlight on the timeless art of letterpress featuring authentic typefaces and bold new contemporary works, this area shows how today’s printmakers (including world renowned Letterpress practitioners, Alan Kitching and Anthony Burrill!) are reinventing this classic technique.
• A specially curated area for two Cumbrian printmakers, Sarah Cemmick from North Cumbria and Sue Rowland from South Cumbria, who have both feature regularly in the Great Print exhibition over the last decade. Sarah Cemmick will showcase her British wildlife linocuts printed in her signature blue ink on delicate gold and silver flecked Japanese tissue paper. In contrast, Sue Rowland explores the fascinating stories of two forward-thinking female Victorian explorers, who defied conventions while adhering to Victorian fashion. Inspired by this, Sue created a 3D traditional lady’s ensemble that on closer inspection highlights the pair’s views on colonialism, a woman’s place in Victorian society and the significance of the binding corset.

Claire Harrison, Gallery Manager and Curator of the Great Print 10 exhibition commented:

“Whether you're a seasoned art enthusiast or a first-time visitor, this accessible exhibition promises an inspiring experience where you can immerse yourself in the magic of printmaking. The artists creative processes can be explored through film and some of the final prints are exhibited alongside the plates and blocks that made them. The exhibition celebrates the rich history and evolution of printmaking while highlighting the incredible creativity of our printmakers. This is a particularly special time for me, as I have curated every print exhibition over the last 10 years.”

To complement the exhibition, Rheged are offering a range of artist-led printmaking workshops, including Jenny McCabe, Laura Sowerby, Liz Jones and Polly Marix Evans, teaching a range of print-making techniques from drypoint to linocut.

Great Print 10 Exhibition is free (no booking necessary) and open daily from 10am – 5.30pm until Sunday 29 June. Rheged’s destination gallery is located at the northern gateway to the Lake District, just off the M6 at Junction 40.

Find Out More Here