Rheged’s flagship Great Print exhibition is back for the seventh year.
The largest event of its kind in the UK, Great Print 7 will open in the Gallery at Rheged on Friday December 3, celebrating printmaking and printmakers from all over the UK.
Around 840 handmade prints by 57 artists – around a quarter of whom live and work in Cumbria – are available to view and buy. Each one is a unique and original piece of art.
The prints on display in the spacious, purpose-built gallery are arranged according to technique. This gives visitors an insight into the different methods used to create hand-pulled prints, from woodcut and linocut to lithography, etching, collagraph, cyanotype, screen printing and more.
The exhibition also features short films showing some of the featured printmakers at work in their studios.
Among this year’s exhibits is a printed roomscape curated by Daniel Heath, an award-winning wallpaper, textile and surface designer.
Daniel’s handmade wall coverings and fabrics, which he screen-prints in his East London studio, are based on designs that bring together traditional hand drawing and modern technologies – and they will be available to order from the exhibition.
Rheged’s annual Great Print exhibition, which is free to enter, has built up a reputation for showcasing a diverse range of styles and techniques employed by printmakers at different stages of their careers.
“We are delighted to give both established and emerging artists a platform to show and sell their work, after so many have been affected by the closure of art fairs and events during the pandemic,” said gallery manager Claire Harrison, who curated the exhibition.
“Great Print is always a really popular event that appeals to a wide range of people and offers an accessible way to enjoy and buy original art. This year we are looking forward to it more than ever.”
Great Print 7 runs from December 3 to February 27.
Entry is free seven days a week (except Christmas Day and Boxing Day) from 9am to 5.30pm.
The gallery will remain open until 8pm Thursday to Saturday throughout December as part of Rheged’s late-night Christmas shopping evenings.
A public preview of Great Print 7, open to all, will be held at Rheged from 6.30pm to 8pm on Thursday December 2, featuring music from local band Errant Thieves.
