Steamroller Prints,
15 & 16 August 2009, 9.30am to 4.00pm
An exciting, free weekend event, open to all, at which twelve artist-printmakers made massive fine art prints – up to 8ft x 4ft - using a three ton steamroller. A unique and ground-breaking event for Herefordshire and the Border Marches. One informed visitor thought it probably the first time printing by steamroller had been performed in public in the UK.
Visitors were invited not only to come and watch but also to join in the fun by making their own "Footsquare" printing plates that were then printed using the steamroller.
- Come and try your hand at fine art printmaking and have the fun of seeing your print made using a three ton steamroller.
- Suitable for all, artists and non-artists alike.
- Workshops for both children and adults.
- Beginners and the more experienced welcome.
- Booking advised.
Saturday 15 August 10.00 – 12.00: For children aged 10yrs and over.
Saturday 15 August 13.00 – 15.00: Collage printing, for adults and children over 10yrs.
Sunday 16 August 10.00 – 12.00: "Footsquare" cork relief printmaking workshop, for adults.
Sunday 16 August 13.00 – 15.00: Intaglio printmaking, for adults
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The Sidney Nolan Trust is an arts-based charity at The Rodd, near Presteigne in the Border Marches. The Trust has a printmaking studio and an active group of some tens of users. Members of this printmakers group pay a modest annual subscription and a small daily charge for studio use. The Trust also runs a programme of printmaking workshops from May to October, including regular sessions on solar plate. Members are invited to exhibit at the Trust’s annual printmaking exhibition during Herefordshire Art Week (h.Art, 12 – 20 September 2009) and on other special occasions.
The Trust also has sculpture and book arts programmes and supports young musicians. There is an annual exhibition of Sidney Nolan’s work.
- Anthony Plant, Trust Administrator, The Sidney Nolan Trust, The Rodd, Presteigne LD8 2LL tel: 01544 267362 e-mail: anthonyplant@sidneynolantrust.org
- Mike Clements tel: 01544 328492 e-mail: mikeclements@sidneynolantrust.org
- Website: www.sidneynolantrust.org.uk
- How to find The Rodd: on the B4355 Kington to Presteigne road, one mile short of Presteigne.
We'd originally thought of using a genuine steamroller but discovered that it would be far less suitable than a modern construction roller. Steamrollers had split front rollers, to enable them to be driven over roads with a slight drainage curve. We'd have had neat lines down the middle of our prints! Modern rollers are delivered on trailers and can have continuous rollers. Back to Gallery
We stretched a wire cable across the barn as a drying line for our prints. It also served to display finished work for visitors. Back to Gallery
Bird's eye view of the barn we used for the project. Working indoors meant we didn't have to worry about rain or wind. The Sidney Nolan Trust's grain barn was large enough to drive the roller side to side. We timed the project for when the previous year's grain had been used but before the new harvest. Back to Gallery
Mike Clements' optician's chart isn't initially easy to read but once you thought about the title of the event it became obvious. The plate was 8ft x 4ft. Back to Gallery
Pam Whitehead's print used a medium sized plate but over-printed on to paper 8ft x 5ft. Back to Gallery
Victoria Keeble's Fish print is revealed. Back to Gallery
Amy Sterly's Tower Blocks talking to each other. Back to Gallery
Gordon Yapp's steamroller print, partially shaded by an overhanging branch. Back to Gallery
Denise Fordyce's unusual printing plate. Back to Gallery
Mike Clements' "Snake" print and (below) inking the plate with a hefty roller. Back to Gallery
Pete Williams' massive print of Thomson Park, Cardiff, printed from two 7½ft x 3¼ft sheets of plywood on to Japanese paper. Total size 6½ft x 7½ft. Back to Gallery
Pete & helpers registering the paper while visitors watch and discuss. One lesson form the steamroller prints event was that printing on such a large scale required many hands. It had to be a collaborative exercise. Fortunately we have a great bunch of printmakers who enjoy working together. Great teamwork. Back to Gallery
Removing one half of the final print. Back to Gallery