Edna Manley College marks 15 years of printmaking

"The year 1996 heralded a new era for the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts, as that was the year that Professor Eugenio d' Melon, printmaker extraordinaire from Cuba, was convinced by Mr Cecil Cooper, then head of the Painting Department, to travel to Jamaica to head the newly established Printmaking Department."

This statement from the curator of the CAG[e], the art gallery of the Edna Manley College, speaks to not just the way the 15-year journey of the Printmaking Department began, but implies its importance.

What is printmaking? An artistic print is the result of the reproduction of an image on a flat matrix, usually on the surface of a paper.

The CAG[e], in celebration of this fine art form, hosted a printmaking exhibition that showcased a collection of over 15 years of various technical and artistic expressions, and included pieces from a mixture of students, alumni and faculty members.

The exhibition paid respect to past traditions, while embracing newer technologies. Patrons also received a clearer understanding of the area. This was especially reflected in the applicable life themes presented in some of the pieces.

Keneisha Arch's screen-printing piece, 'Sweet Protection (2010)', tickled the fancy of many of the patrons, as it showcased a lollipop in the form of a condom.

Another piece that caught the attention of the audience due to its 'tongue-in-cheek' presentation was Kori Solomon's 'Angry Person (2004)', which was a linocut print of a hand with a protruded middle finger in front of a noticeboard and a book. It seems to suggest that the angry person has a relationship with an ignorant person.

There were other prints that were easy on the eyes and quite interesting to look at.

Cleve Bowen's 'Repose (2010)' was an interesting screen-printing double piece that captured a girl posing beside a window, in one relaxed pose, then another.

The spiritual was not to be missed as Christopher Granston, in his etching piece titled 'Creation (2009)', provided patrons with a perspective of the creation story. Looking on, patrons could find a sprinkling of birds, and an interesting etching of the mouth and teeth of God, underscoring the notion that God spoke and nature was created.

Printmaking, though often misunderstood and questioned as a legitimate art form, came alive during the 15 years since the institution opened the department.

The department, over the years, has blossomed into an exciting technical and artistic community, with fine artistic remnants of many noteworthy artists who have excelled locally and internationally.

These prints held powerful messages for many patrons at the 15 Years of Printmaking exhibition at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts recently.