Limited edition prints by SA’s top artists

At CN&CO, we’re mad about the arts. One of our good friends, Ann Roberts, is involved in the Art Pop Up Shops movement, which regularly hosts events that showcase and sell the work of some of SA’s top artists. The next event is this coming Saturday, 1 October 2016.

The Artists’ Press is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a Limited Edition Print Pop Up Shop that provides a stunning showcase for the work it produces in collaboration with many of South Africa’s most acclaimed artists.

The one-day only event takes place on Saturday 1 October 2016 at Parktown High School for Girls in Johannesburg, with master printer Mark Attwood and several of South Africa’s leading fine artists in attendance.

25 Years of The Artists’ Press – Limited Edition Print Pop Up Shop will feature prints from close to 50 artists, including new works from Sibonelo Chiliza, Anton Kannemeyer, Willem Boshoff, Conrad Botes, Karin Daymond, Colbert Mashile, Walter Oltmann and Judith Mason. Live music, refreshments and art activities for adults and children ensure an unmissable day out for Joburg’s art lovers.

A highlight of the event will be a lunchtime conversation between artist Sam Nhlengethwa and Mark Attwood that will explore the unique collaboration between two leaders in their fields.

Like many of the other artists it works with, Nhlengethwa’s relationship with The Artists’ Press extends over a significant period of time. “My first experience of working with Mark at The Artists’ Press was in 1994 when I was the Standard Bank Young Artist of the Year,” comments the internationally renowned artist. “From that first experience on I have never looked back. I fell in love with lithography and the press. The atmosphere at The Artists’ Press is relaxed with a high standard of professionalism.”

With its base in a purpose-built studio in rural Mpumulanga and accommodation on the premises, The Artists’ Press provides an intimate and welcoming creative environment. Central to it being the first choice print shop for a diverse array of brilliant artists is Mark Attwood – the first African to qualify from the globally renowned Tamarind Master Printer programme in the USA. Attwood’s skills and ability to work collaboratively with artists ensure consistently full bookings for The Artists’ Press – and its uniquely versatile printing process further ensures its ranking amongst the best in the world.

“Watching artists that we work with going from strength to strength is among the many highlights of the past 25 years,” comments Attwood. “It also gives us great pleasure to think back on all the fantastic working relationships that we have developed with fellow printmakers, artists, collectors and galleries – the fruits of which will be on sale at the pop-up shop.”

Since 1991, The Artists’ Press has worked with 119 artists on a remarkable 956 print editions including William Kentridge “Learning the Flute” (2004) which, at 2.81 x 3.56 metres, is the biggest editioned print to have emerged out of the studio’s collaborative hand printing process. Other highlights include collaborating with Conrad Botes on 32 editions, 12 of which are sold out, as well as working with San artists (from the Kuru Art Project) on the artists book, Qauqaua – the first book written in the Naro language as told by the artists themselves and illustrated by them.

25 Years of The Artists’ Press – Limited Edition Print Pop Up Shop is the perfect way for new, emerging and established art lovers to add to their fine art collection through the stunning array of accessibly-priced prints that will be on offer. The atelier, known for its high-quality archival framing, will be on hand for those buyers who want to take care of the framing of their prints on the day of purchase.

Burgeoning artists will be able to try their hand at letterpress printing with free sessions being run by Impressed Craft Bindery & Letterpress Studio. The artist Fiona Pole will run a free drawing workshop, and children will learn how to do simple bookbinding and can participate in a printing workshop, music by The Runaway Train Cult and food and drink courtesy of Lilly Rosemary and other bespoke caterers will be available throughout the day.

The Artists’ Press in Numbers:

Since 1991, The Artists’ Press has worked with 119 artists on print editions.
Total editions printed: 956
Editions published by us: 585
Editions printed on contract: 371
Editions in stock 388
Editions sold out: 197
Approximate total number of prints printed: 33 460
Smallest print editioned: William Kentridge “Untitled” 1999. 12 x 13 cm.
Largest print editioned: William Kentridge “Learning the Flute” 2004. 281 x 356 cm
Artists’ books produced: 16
Tamarind Master Printers in the house: 1
Lowest year of edition printing: 1997, 6 editions
Highest year of edition printing: 2004, 76 editions
Tamarind Master printers who have worked in the studio: 7
Full time staff: 8
Presses in studio: 3.