Jardin Noir IV (detail)
Jack Shadbolt
lithograph on paper
88.9 x 68.6cm, 1994,
private collection

Prior Editions: 10 Years of Canadian Printmaking, curated by Darrin Martins, is still on until October 30, 2005 at the Burnaby Art Gallery, in the city of Burnaby, next door to Vancouver.

From the invitation: Prior Editions Studio has made important contributions to the development of contemporary printmaking in Canada. As one of the few independently owned and operated studios in the country, Prior Editions opened its doors to artists from across the nation to investigate, experiment and create works of art in the lithographic, intaglio and relief forms of printmaking. Works from the Permanent Collection, Prior Editions Studio and private collections are displayed in conjunction with memorabilia and archival material collected while the studio was operating in Vancouver, between 1989 and 2001. Some of the artists included are Jack Shadbolt, Gordon Smith, Mollie Lamb Bobak, Gathie Falk, Toni Onley, Otis Tamasauskas, Robert Young and Carel Moisewitch.

I’m disappointed that I missed the opening in September where it would have been fun to meet many of our city’s printmakers. The Burnaby Art Gallery has a major collection of prints, and with its return lately to a focus on prints in their exhibitions like in the 80’s, printmakers are very pleased. Naturally it’s a must-see-show for me, though I’ve not made it yet because of being so busy, but this weekend I MUST see it, I will see it. I hope I’ll be able to post an installation photo later.