Typically, PrintAustin takes a ‘big tent’ approach. The annual month-long celebration of all things fine art printmaking usually marshalls dozens of exhibitions and events with printmaking demos and a big print expo show.
But as we all know nothing is as usual these days and so PrintAustin’s digital pivot will not mimic everything that happened before.
Yes, there will be printmaker demos and artists talks. And there’s a few in-person exhibitions for by-appointment viewing. You can peruse the schedule of events at printaustin.org/events/#!event-list
Also, PrintExpo, where dozens artists showcase and sell their latest prints, will go live Feb. 6 at printexpo.org
But the juried exhibition this year will feature only five artists. Texas-based artist and printmaker Delita Martin of Black Box Press Studio served as juror. The virtual exhibition will be presented on bigmedium.org site from Jan. 15 – Feb. 19 and will showcase the work of artists from the United States, Australia, and Slovenia, offering a survey of printmaking happening across the globe.
Featured in “The Contemporary Print: 5×5” are:
Chloe Alexander (Atlanta, Georgia)
John Klosterman IV (Tuscaloosa, Alabama)
Oliver Pilic (Kamnik, Slovenia)
Laura Post (Fort Worth, Texas)
Cleo Wilkinson (Melbourne, Australia)
Martin’s own art work combines printmaking with drawing, painting, hand-stitching, and collage to create a visual language that offers insight into the marginalization of Black women. Through her Black Box Press Foundation, Martin founded the initiative Art As Activism Fund, whose mission is to support artists in the production of an exhibition that brings together the creative energy of the arts to move us emotionally with the strategic planning of activism necessary to bring about social change.
Martin is currently based in currently based in Huffman, Texas.
On Jan. 15 Martin will be joined in conversation with Sightlines editor Jeanne Claire van Ryzin for a discussion of Black Box Press Studio, the Art As Activism Fund and Martin’s artistic practice.
The online talk is at 7 p.m. Jan. 15. Register to attend at printaustin.org/events/#!event/2021/1/15/artist-talk-a-sightlines-discussion-with-delita-martin
Sightlines is a media sponsor of PrintAustin.
