Print Studio

In 1991 The Artists' Press print studio opened its doors in Newtown, Johannesburg, under the direction of Tamarind Master Printer, Mark Attwood. The Artists' Press started as a lithography studio providing artists in southern Africa with a workshop dedicated to the production of limited edition hand printed lithographs. Since its inception the press has grown steadily and today offers a variety of print processes to artists as well as publishing and selling original prints and artists books via this web site, ArtPrintSA. In 2003 The Artists' Press relocated to a farming area just outside of White River in Mpumalanga, South Africa. In the purpose built studio the press now offers lithography, letterpress, intaglio, mono printing and relief printing.

Mark Attwood is the director of the studio and is the Master Printer. He has worked in the printing field since 1981, apprenticing in his father's print shop (The Broederstroom Press), and later trained in hand printing at Lowick House Print Workshop (UK) and at The Tamarind Institute, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque (USA). Printer, Joseph Legate joined the press in 1999 after completing his secondary school education, and is currently completing the Master Printer Programme at Tamarind Institute. Syneth Nyandeni who trained at The Artists Proof Studio in Newtown joined the workshop in 2004 and Jackie Tsila, from Hazyview, is the press assistant. From time to time recently qualified master printers work at the press, which serves to keep us up to date with international trends and provides the printers with the opportunity to gain experience in a professional print shop. To date the following Tamarind Master Printers have worked with us: Lee Turner (UK), Sarah Dudley (Canada) and Ulrich Kuehle(Germany). Printer Todd Anderson (USA) who has worked at Tandem Press has also assisted us. To take a look at the work that Sarah and Ulrich do, visit: www.dudley-kuehle.net

The Artists' Press is a small studio dedicated to offering artists the very best in personal attention. All work printed at the studio is done by hand. We use acid-free paper and the most light-fast inks available, taking the utmost care to ensure that the work is of the highest possible standard. We belong to the South African Paper Conservation Group, and continually strive to improve the quality of our prints. All editions are carefully curated and documented. Once editions have been printed and signed, the plate or stone is defaced thereby preserving the integrity of the edition and ensuring that no "second editions" can be printed. Documentation sheets are available, on request, for all editions printed at the studio.

The Artists' Press has been internationally recognised for its contribution to developing the culture of printmaking in Africa. The studio has initiated and taken part in a number of exciting international and regional projects. These have included collaborations with the Kuru Art Project (Botswana). Most notable of these is the publication of Qauqaua (the first book written in a San language, as told by the San and illustrated by San artists and bound in traditionally tanned goatskin). Qauqaua was selected in 2001 for the "Voyages Exhibition" of the Smithsonian Institute Libraries and was listed by the Grolier Book Club as one of the top ten highlights of the exhibition.

The Ultimate Safari, a short story written by Nobel Prize laureate Nadine Gordimer, was illustrated by Mozambican refugees living in South Africa and poignantly illustrates the need for peace and co-operation as a prerequisite for development.

The studio uses two chops; these are MA (Mark Attwood's initials) and TAP which are the initials of The Artists' Press. These have been assembled to reflect the form of a hand litho press as seen from the side. All prints produced at the studio are embossed with either one or both of these chops.

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Celebrating Fifteen Years of The Artists' Press

Accomodation

Print Care