New Zealand Women Printmakers goes on display the Fisher Gallery, Pakuranga, Manukau from Friday 28 May 1993. New Zealand Women Printmakers was initiated and curated by Auckland artist Carole Shepheard. She invited and commissioned a series of new prints by a significant group artists from throughout New Zealand to celebrate their current artistic activity for 1993 Women’s Suffrage Year.
Some of the Auckland artists include Philippa Blair, Jenny Dolezel, Toi Te Rito Maihi, Felicity West, Claudia Pond Eyley, Jane Zusters, Karen Cook, Parekohai Whakamoe and Reiko Elliot and from further afield, Tanya Ashken, Marian Maguire, Robin White, Marilynn Webb, Robin Kahukiwa, Kate Coolahan and Vivian Lynn.
New Zealand Women Printmakers includes thirty-two artists using printmaking as their predominant medium and as artists who have traced their history related to this medium. The works are skillful examples of current work or related to the theme of Women’s Suffrage as part of the ongoing celebrations for 1993 centennial activities.
Anne Kirker suggests in her introduction to the exhibition that, ‘Women [printmakers) have been strongly evident all along, from the early days of the Print Council of New Zealand to the present climate where traditional boundaries and expectations of the field of have been considerably expanded.
The participants on this project come from diverse backgrounds; amongst contributors there is a representative sampling of age, cultural affiliation, geographical location and professional experience.
Their work is indicative of the breadth of issues concerning New Zealand artists today whether it be related to politics, gender, bi-culturalism and our place in the Pacific, or on the other hand it may be more introspective or idiosyncratic or off-beat.’
An accompanying catalogue documents the significant developments in printmaking history and provides a resource of background information of the artists continuing to play an important part in our printmaking heritage. ZONTA as the motivating force behind the exhibition wished to promote the further development and knowledge of current New Zealand women printmakers and the subsequent national tour has been organised by them for 1993 Women’s Suffrage Centennial Year.
Download
→ New Zealand Women Printmakers, 1993, publication part 1
→ New Zealand Women Printmakers, 1993, publication part 2
Ephemera
→ New Zealand Women Printmakers, 1993, exhibition card
Press
→ Print celebration, Eastern Courier, 28-05-1993
→ Stamp of pride, New Zealand Herald, 10-06-1993