Prints From the Griffith Studio 1978-2011

Established in 1976 and one of the longest serving print workshops in Australia, the Griffith Studio and Graphic Workshop began as a result of Pamela Griffith’s own homegrown studio enterprise, a lack of available printmaking facilities for local artists and her commitment to reviving printmaking.

Griffith has been at the forefront in revitalizing the dying art form of etching and was one of the chief instigators of what is now The Southern Printmakers Group. She helped reintroduce printmaking to colleges and art schools, was the first to teach etching at Gymea Technical College and led the way in developing a local etching press while resourcing materials not locally available.

Prints from the Griffith Studio celebrates the phenomenal output of the Griffith Graphic Workshop, which has produced more than 700 limited edition prints, by more than 30 artists. Over 400 of these editions are by Pamela Griffith. The output demonstrates a range of skills and virtuosity in technique, including etchings, lithographs, relief prints and collagraphs.

The 29 exhibiting artists who have produced lithographs, etchings and relief prints under the guidance of master printers include David Boyd, Adam Cullen, Tony Coleing, George Gitttoes, Yannima Tommy Watson, Wendy Sharpe and Salvatore Zofrea. The print studio has become a yardstick for quality print production in Australia and has also been a training facility for numerous Master Printers including Matthew Ablitt, Trevor Riach and Rew Hanks.

Exhibition highlights include Salvatore Zofrea’s Australian landscapes and the “Lord Howe Island Series” which sparkles with the vitality and distinct individuality of the eight artists. This Series is the first suite of prints privately commissioned in Australia by the French entrepreneur Dr Michel Lefebvre, proving Australians can produce world-class prints.

The newest prints from the Griffith studio reflect the demand for large, colourful works. Fine art publishers Art Equity have commissioned some of these works, including Yannima Tommy Watson’s astounding prints with their vibrantly saturated hues and richly embossed surfaces. Master printer Trevor Riach has developed a relief plate that imitates Watson’s heavily textured dot technique. Also produced by Art Equity and printed by Trevor Riach, Adam Cullen’s collagraph prints intrigue in their inventiveness to match this artist’s bold style.

Pamela Griffith will give a talk at Hazelhurst Regional Gallery on Sunday 16 October at 2pm.

Image: Matthew Ablitt, Suspension III, 2010, collagraph, courtesy the artist.