Guanlan International Printmaking Base, China
Printmaker Dan Welden: Artist in Residence
SCROLL DOWN FOR RELATED LINKS AND NARRATION TRANSCRIPT
http://www.danwelden.com/Artworks.html
http://www.solarplate.com
http://www.guanlanprints.com/en/RArtists/detail.asp?id=1097&page=5
http://www.evolon.com/textile-printing-media,10729-en.html
http://www.takachpress.com
Guanlan, China, November through December 2012...Dan Welden at work.
Dan Welden was invited to work at the Guanlan International Printmaking Base for the second consecutive year. It is a 'work space' for experienced printmakers who are established artists and have a project in mind....It is not a school, place of experimentation or learning, but a government facility where a good body of work can be produced in a relatively short time.
Dan Welden's work involves using the process he pioneered, called "Solarplate" an alternative form of printmaking that has proven to be safer and more environmentally friendly than traditional etching.
The Guanlan International Printmaking Base is a huge workspace where artists are invited from all over the world. These artists will spend weeks or months creating their images on wood, metal, stone or whatever surface they prefer, with the idea of editioning the art in relatively small numbers.
The printmaking facility is fully equipped with lithography and etching presses, as well as relief and screen printing. Each area also has fully trained printers and assistants who take pride in their workmanship with the artists.
Here, Dan Welden is inking his Solarplate in relief....the plate in turn is placed on the bed of the press, then printed. Unique to this piece, the image is printed on a new material invented in Germany, called Evolon. This synthetic comes in sheets and rolls, is tough and resilient and can produce great impressions in relief and intaglio. The American made Takach presses here in Guanlan are primarily used for relief printing. The plates are rolled with ink, one color at a time and then printed.
Dan's visit this year was highlighted when he was honored along with other artists, one from each continent, to participate in the first Ling Shui print Biennale, in northern China, where he presented a speech at the opening ceremony and participated in academic discussions with other prestigious printmakers from Australia, South Africa, Ireland and of course, China.
To find out more visit Danwelden.com