DEFINING SHAPES - CREATING EDGES

ROSLYN KEAN

8 MAY - 12 JUNE 2021

Roslyn Kean, Defining the Edge, 2021

Image courtesy of the artist

My work reflects light and shade in nature and the experience of the silence of a space, with a minimalism and limited colour scheme evoking a sereneness and contemplation in the landscape. The works are complex multi-block woodblock prints on hand made 100% Kozo paper. These works have been produced from thirty - forty individual carved blocks often working across two panels of paper. The blocks when inked are printed with exacting registration, each colour change is a new block creating the impact of translucent colours.

I enjoy the practice of a very traditional 16th Century Japanese woodblock printing techniques. Still practiced in Japan today and referred to as Mokuhanga, I continue the challenge of bringing it into the 21st century. My contemporary application of this medium remains non-toxic and relies on all blocks to be hand printed with a baren. Many works in this exhibition reflect the colour schemes used in the late 19th Century works of Yoshitoshi from the One Hundred Aspects of the Moon series.

Roslyn Kean has been preoccupied with printmaking traditions of Japan since 1985, conducting master classes in the technique in printmaking studios and universities throughout Australia.  She received her Higher Diploma in Fine Art (MA) from the Slade School of Fine Art, University College London in 1978 and is the recipient of a Monbusho Research scholarship.  She has exhibited extensively in Australia and internationally and has been included in numerous awards, including the Ink Masters International Print Exhibition 2021, International Print Triennale Krakow, Poland (2015, 2018), Kochi International Print Award, Kochi, Japan (2020), Hazelhurst National Works of Paper Award (2019), 9th International Print Biennial 2018, Douro, Portugal (2018) and the 2018 Australian Print Triennial, Mildura, Australia (2018).  She is currently director of The Stables Print Studio, Sydney where she shares her expertise in Woodblock techniques.