PRINT INTERNATIONAL
art
Oriel Myrddin, Carmarthen
Tues 13 May-Sat 14 June
My only other real encounter with printmaking was a long time ago, at the age of 12,
when I attended a printmaking workshop in the upstairs of Oriel Myrddin in Carmarthen.
Somewhere in the depths of my mother’s loft there lies a very small T-shirt with a
monochrome aquatic scene and, as much as I am proud of it and my mother holds it dearly, I
doubt it would make it near this exhibition. Print International contains a range of work
by Welsh print artists including etchings, lithographs, digital prints and photocopies.
Obviously print is not a new medium, and this is the sixth edition of the Print International
exhibition, but printmaking still remains very much a part of the modern world of art.
The exhibitions’ creator, and Professor of Printmaking And Book Arts at the Cardiff School Of
Art, David Ferry argues that modern technology can’t replace the life, art and texture of print.
“We’re surrounded by digital information, e-books, e-mail, the internet, which from an
industrial perspective has meant that printers are an increasingly unnecessary aspect of
the information sharing process,” he says, “digital media should by rights have killed off the
printed form all together, it’s easier, cheaper, quicker but in fact the reverse has happened.
We are reassessing how we use print in all aspects of our lives. People are rediscovering analogue photography, realizing that the ease of digital photography means that we rarely
look at the photographs unless we print them out. There’s a new generation of artists using printmaking as a vehicle for personal expression and ideas sharing.
As part of Print International Professor David Ferry and one of the exhibition’s artists John Abell will be holding talks about the topic. David will be talking on Wed 14 May
at 1pm, and John Abell will be talking on Thurs 15 May from 1pm. Hopefully after attending this exhibition, with regards to the modern uses of printmaking, like me you will then be
able to say that you have been there and got the T-shirt.
Admissions: free. Info: 01267 222775 / www.orielmyrddingallery.co.uk FRANCIS LOUISE
MOUTH AND FOOT
PAINTING ARTISTS
Norwegian Church Arts Centre,
Cardiff Bay
Thurs 22 May-Sun 1 June
What’s the first thing that comes to
mind after reading this headline? Daniel
Day-Lewis in My Left Foot? Christy
Brown, the film’s real-life protagonist
was an early member of the Mouth And
Foot Painting Artists. Formed in 1957
the British branch of the world-wide
association represents 36 artists who,
due to various impairments, work
without hands.
The artists on view will cover a variety of
subjects including city and landscapes,
wildlife, still life, religion and architectural
themes through to portrait and abstract
works.
Among the exhibitors is Tom Yendell (who
is also on the MAFP’s Board Of Artists)
and Cardif’s very own Rosaleen MoriartySimmonds who, on top of painting, is a
disability-equality campaigner, broadcaster
and author. As well as being the first-ever
Owain Glyndwr Seren Award recipient,
she’s the first disabled artist from South
Wales to gain admission to the MFPA as a
Student Artist.
Both Moriarty-Simmonds and Yendell will
be in attendance answering questions
and demonstrating their technique. You
may be able to pick up some pointers,
but don’t ask too many questions while
they’re trying to work – it’s difficult to
discuss art with a paintbrush in your
mouth. Admission: free. Info: 029 2087
7959 / www.norwegianchurchcardiff.
co.uk (RLR)
BUZZ 40
JAMES GREEN
G39, Cardiff
Sat 31 May-Sat 21 June
James Green is fascinated with masks, as
evidenced by his very first set of work, The
Life And Times Of John Merrick, in which
green images Merrick (more commonly
known as the ‘Elephant Man’) had created
masks out of his self-portraits. The local
Cardiff artist is back for 2014 with a new
exhibition that takes inspiration from
religious and cross-cultural influences.
The exhibition promises hand-stitched
and knitted masks, as well as relics and a
number of accompanying paintings.
Green’s CV is certainly an impressive
and eclectic one. He’s created paintings,
sculptures, collages and comic books. In
the past his work has been compared to
colourful painter and printmaker David
Hockney, cartoonist Fletcher Hanks and
hip-hop legend J-Dilla.
Some of the pieces from his new show are
reminiscent of Picasso, while the masks
themselves clearly draw inspiration from
voodoo and accompanying superstitious
practices. There’s even the promise of one
relic with “finger and toenails collected over
a three-year period” – yikes!
Geographically, the works can be traced
to African and South American roots, so
this exhibition is likely to appeal to fans of
both these cultures as well as the local art
crowd.
Whether you’re into world religions,
surrealism, or just like supporting local
artists, the show promises to be thoughtprovoking at the very least.
Admission: free. Info: 029 2047 3633 /
www.g39.org (GG)
PINNIES FROM HEAVEN
Craft In The Bay, Cardiff Bay
Sat 17 May-Sun 6 July
The humble pinny might not be your
first thought whe