MAJOR ART MILESTONE
Compact Prints is an accessible and popular concept and we are celebrating its 20th anniversary this year
Itis 20 years since the celebrated biennial exhibition, exchange and auction Compact Prints first started in Townsville as a fundraiser for Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts.
The exhibition has grown to include works from artists from as far afield as Iran and Romania.
In 2002 Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts first invited artists to submit small prints that would fit in a CD case.
In the following years, three prints have been required - one to be auctioned, one to be swapped with another artist taking part, and a third to be exhibited and toured to other galleries.
The concept quickly gained international attention, and the 2004 exhibition included prints from across the globe. Since then, the exhibition has toured nationally and internationally.
Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts, Gallery Manager Daniel Qualischefski highlighted the significance of this concept.
“Compact Prints is an accessible and popular concept and we are celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. It has become a benchmark for international engagement connecting printmakers from across the globe,” Qualischefski said.
When asked why it is so popular, Qualischefski tells NQ Weekend it is an incredibly accessible exhibition.
“The works are small and flat, so they can easily be sent from anywhere in the world, wellknown artists exhibit alongside emerging and new talent, and the auction is a wonderfully accessible way to collect art,” Qualischefski said.
“This year, the exhibition includes 84 new prints created by artists from across Australia, New Zealand, Romania, USA, Hungary and Iran, the works showcase a range of contemporary and traditional printing techniques.”
Local artist Margaret Robertson has been involved since the start of Compact Prints and will exhibit alongside print newcomer and local potter Baylee Griffin.
The duo met at a lino print workshop facilitated by Margaret at Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts.
“I love to see people creating, especially if they haven’t done something before,” Robertson said.
“During my workshops, I encourage participants to just have a go at it and free themselves, and they will be amazed what they can create.”
Local artist Baylee Griffin will be exhibiting in Compact Prints for the first time after participating in the lino print workshop.
“I decided to take part in Margaret’s workshop and create a print to enter into the Compact Prints exhibition this year,” Griffin said.
“It was really nice to dive into a medium for the first time and have the support of Margaret and other artists in the room.
“I think some people restrain themselves from art, but everyone has the ability to be creative and learn these skills, and it’s always worth trying, there are lots of workshops at Umbrella, and I think more young people should get involved.”
Compact Prints is a fundraising auction which sees all profits go back into Umbrella, allowing them to arrange more events and workshops.
Umbrella’s Compact Prints exhibition runs until October 2.
To find out more, to view the prints online and to bid visit https://www.umbrella.org.au/