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Pro-Print Studio

Introduction:
EXAMPLES OF PUBLISH
CORPORATE COLLABORATIONS
Pro-Printing Team

 

The Pro-Print Studio is a professional income generating unit that facilitates print editions and collaborations between artists and a team of trained print technicians. It specializes in all fine-art printing mediums such as intaglio, etching, relief printing, screen printing and lithography. This facility provides state of the art equipment and materials for printmaking collaborations. The Pro Print Studio has one of the largest and finest Takach etching presses in the country which has enabled us to edition the work of important South African artists such as Wim Botha, Diane Victor, William Kentridge, Willem Boshoff and many others who enjoy the experience of working in an environment filled with passion, creativity, and professionalism.

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PRO-PRINT STUDIO:
EXAMPLES OF PUBLISHING AND PRINT COLLABORATIONS

Co-publishing project between
Bronwyn Findlay, Tim Foulds and APS:
‘Lucky Beans and Lace Curtains’

This collaboration extended over a period of one year. Bronwyn Findlay was invited to produce one work, but the project expanded into a varied edition of prints. During their previous collaborations, Tim was introduced to Bronwyn’s paintings and became interested in producing a series of prints that would capture the rich and dense layered effect obtained from her paintings. This was realized in the current body of work, wherein various print mediums were layered to capture a similar effect to that of Bronwyn’s paintings. Bronwyn is familiar with various printmaking techniques and thus was able to use a variety of techniques to create many layers in each work. Techniques used include: relief print (Marly tile), carborandum, monotype, stamping, chine collée and intaglio printing. The different plates in a variety of mediums were moved around in a playful manner on each individual print. The result is a densely layered and richly textured series of prints. The working process allowed for a surprise element, since each print was not planned in advance. Both printer and artist responded to each individual print and the layering of different mediums and images.

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Other artists who print with master printer, Tim Foulds, in the Pro-Print Studio include: Deborah Bell, Willem Boshoff, Wim Botha, Richard Forbes, Michael Chibogo Khumalo, William Kentridge, Sharlene Khan, Dumisani Mabaso, Senzeni Marasela, Paul Molete, and Penny Siopis.

 

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Co-publishing project between
Joël Mpah Dooh and Pro-Print Studio print technicians:

In preparation for the APS Fundraising Art Auction held in April 2008, APS invited artists from the Bag Factory to produce works in the Pro-Print Studio. This is how we met Cameroonian artist, Joël Mpah Dooh, an artist in residence at the Bag Factory during this time. We were inspired by his creative energy and dedicated and professional work ethic. We invited him to collaborate with our printmakers, Motsamai Thabane, Lehlogonolo Mashaba, Pontsho Sikhosana and Tim Foulds. We are very excited about our ongoing collaboration with this internationally acclaimed artist.

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Print collaboration between Richard Forbes and Pro-Print Studio print technicians:

In August 2007, Richard Forbes produced a series of prints that are in the process of being editioned by APS print technician, Pontsho Sikhosana. Richard has been working on a series of large intaglio plates. His mark-making tools consist of spinning-tops that he sculpted out of wood. These wooden spinning tops are not only artworks, but act as interactive tools.  The artist invites his audience to spin the tops onto the plate themselves and make a mark. The outcome is a dense layering of spinning marks that looks like galaxies and constellations of infinite space. Richard’s playful 'performance' interactions push the boundaries of printmaking as a traditional medium into a conceptual and socially interactive method. His series of prints were exhibited at the Premises Gallery in 2007. He will also exhibit the plates, which have become artworks in themselves.

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CORPORATE COLLABORATIONS
WITH THE PRO-PRINT STUDIO INCLUDE:

MTN: Sophiatown Print Portfolio

The MTN Art Foundation and Philippa Hobbs initiated this project in 2007 to create a print portfolio of 8 original prints. The print portfolio consisted of prints commemorating Sophiatown by a selection of South African artists, working in different print mediums. The portfolio was used by MTN as corporate gifts. This is the second portfolio of its kind initiated by MTN in collaboration with APS. The first print portfolio, initiated in 2006, was themed around Soweto and featured the work of artists who live in the renowned township.

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Pro-Printing Team
Pro-Print Studio manager, Suzanne du Preez, was a printmaking major at the University of Cape Town’s Michaelis School of Art where she obtained her bachelors’ degree in Fine Art. Suzanne has recently held a solo exhibition at Gallery Premises in part fulfillment towards her master’s degree in Fine Art at the University of Johannesburg. Suzanne has worked in the Johannesburg art industry for the past 8 years as a logistics coordinator for community projects and various art publications. Her experience includes working alongside Clive Kellner at Camouflage Gallery.

Pontsho Sikosana has been working at APS as a studio printer since 2002. Pontsho was trained by Master Printer Eileen Foti through a residency program at Rutgers Centre of Innovative Print and Paper (now called the Brodsky Centre) and an annual international exchange programme funded by Johnson  & Johnson. She also trained as an artist and printmaker at APS and the African Institute of Art. She has, among many other projects, editioned a large linocut for award-winning artist, Paul Edmunds, as well as Brett Murray’s satirical linocut work. In 2008, Pontsho worked closely with Makgabo Helen Sebidi to edition her complex and colourful mystical prints.

 

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Motsamai Thabane started working at APS Pro-Print Studio in 2004 while he was enrolled at the University of Johannesburg’s teacher training programme. Motsamai was trained as an edition printer by Kim Berman and through mentorships with visiting printers at APS. In 2007, Motsamai gained exposure and experience through a vist to USA printmaking studios including the Brodsky Centre.
He has editioned artworks for various artists, including Joël Mpah Dooh.

Lehlogonolo Mashaba was trained as edition printer by Kim Berman and through mentorships with visiting printers at APS. Lehlogonolo also benefited in 2008 from an artist residency in the US at Lafayette where he learned specialist skills in screen printing.

Cloudia Hartwig’s experience as a screen print technician originated with her studies for a B.Tech Degree in Fine Art at the University of Johannesburg where she majored in printmaking. Cloudia was employed in 2007 to establish and manage the Screen Print Unit at APS. This Unit is already highly productive and successful, and Cloudia currently collaborates with many artists on fine-art screen printing, such as Gerhard Marx.

Tim Foulds has been working as a master printer over the past 11 years.  He studied Fine Art and design at the Vaal University of Technology and Professional Lithography at the Tamarind Institute in the US. In 2004, Tim set up his own professional print studio in Johannesburg where he collaborates with various artists. In 2005, he started working part-time at APS collaborating with renowned artists such as Wim Botha, Willem Boshoff, William Kentridge, Senzeni Marasela and Penny Siopis.

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