New exhibition in Sheffield showcases contemporary printmaking

“There is so much talent out there and not so many outlets to showcase it, which is something we both feel passionate about,” says Bradbury. “In January and February, we started doing some research and going on studio visits across the country. It’s been a really enjoyable experience – we could have filled the space several times over with the amount of work we wanted to include.”

The exhibition demonstrates the breadth of contemporary printmaking and draws attention to its versatility through work that spans figurative studies, geometric compositions, atmospheric landscapes and much more. “Over the years I have come across so many talented printmaking artists and this is such a great opportunity to show some of them to the world,” says Green. “Working in collaboration with Ed has been a lot of fun. We have quite different artistic backgrounds – his work is more street art, while my approach has been more traditional – and it has been fascinating to see how our tastes have intertwined, contrasted and overlapped at times.”

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Different techniques in printmaking including screen-printing, linocut, woodcuts and lithography, examples of which are featured in the exhibition which also has an area dedicated to the equipment used. “It gives people an insight into what you need to do printmaking,” says Green. “It’s not trying to explain the whole process but it gives a flavour.”

Artists whose work is on display in the show include David Armes, Angela Hall, Helen Murgatroyd, Clare Phelan, Steve Renshaw, Bronwen Sleigh, Christopher Stead and Jane Walker among many others, including Green and Bradbury. “One of the great things about printmaking is that it breaks down barriers,” says Bradbury. “A museum can be quite an intimidating space for some people but print is just so accessible to everyone – in terms of viewing it but also buying it.”

For Green and Bradbury as curators it is important that the show is also about connecting artists and audiences – there are some well-known names in the line-up alongside others that are emerging artists. Green says that travelling around the country visiting studios and print workshops was a bit of a voyage of discovery. “We both know lots of artists in our different areas of the print world, but what was really great was when we found people who neither of us knew about – that was really exciting.”

The response to the exhibition has been very positive so far. “We had over 400 people at the opening, so there is clearly an appetite for this kind of show,” says Bradbury. “I think that people want that hands-on, raw, analogue experience. This is a good time to showcase all the things that we love about printmaking and the work of artists that we respect and admire.”

Both Bradbury and Green have been printmaking for decades and their passion for it clearly has not dimmed. Both cite the unpredictability and imperfection of the medium as part of its appeal. “There is always a gap between what you think you might achieve and the end result,” says Bradbury. “The piece I made for this show is called Progress not Perfection and it is a reminder to myself to make a bit of progress every time.” Green agrees. “I love the fact that it is so unpredictable,” he says. “It’s almost like there is a bit of magic involved when you reveal the image – you are never quite sure what it is going to look like, and I love that moment.”

The exhibition offers audiences a real flavour of the range of effects that it is possible to achieve. “We hope the show provides an interesting overview of contemporary printmaking,” says Green. “We can’t cover everything but we hope we have curated an exciting take on it – and also that it might inspire people to have a go themselves.”

New Editions: Contemporary Printmaking Curated by James Green and Ed Bradbury is at the Millennium Gallery, Sheffield until December 4. Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-5pm; Sunday, 11am-4pm. Free entry, suggested donation £5. sheffieldmuseums.org.uk