A gallery of prints
Artist Pat Slighte shows off techniques learned at Santa Fe workshop
Robin Grant
Northern News Services
Thursday, February 23, 2017
NUNAVUT
Pat Slighte is passionate about the art of printmaking.
Artist Pat Slighte shows off printmaking work she has been creating since attending a printmaking workshop in Santa Fe, New Mexico last August. Attending the workshop was made possible with an NWT Arts Council grant and her work will be on display today until tomorrow at the Premiere Print Exhibition put on by the Thin Ice Print Studio. - Robin Grant/NNSL photo
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Last August, she had the opportunity to attend a printmaking workshop in Santa Fe, New Mexico with grant money provided by the NWT Arts Council.
While there, Slighte said she learned techniques from artist, educator and master printmaker Ron Pokrasso.
"I got incredible one-on-one help, and I learned a lot of techniques," she said. "Santa Fe is an incredible arts town. I think they have over 200 art galleries with a population not much bigger than Yellowknife. I got to see all kinds of art and meet other printmakers."
Printmaking is the practice of making art by transferring ink through a medium such as copper, zinc, stone or metal plates, usually onto paper.
Today, Slighte is showcasing her work alongside print work by fellow artists Rae Braden, Ben Nind and Natalie Labossiere from the Thin Ice Print Studio.
The artist is showcasing 12 pieces that were inspired by techniques she learned at the Santa Fe workshop. The show is called the Premiere Print Exhibition, and is the the first time the four printmakers will be showcasing their work.
"One piece is called An Idea, and there is a follow-up piece called a Ghost of an Idea - that was one of the things I learned," said Slighte, adding she has been printmaking for five years, two of which have been full-time. "Using the plates to make one print and then using the residue of ink that is left on that plate as a base for the next print - which these two pieces of mine show. You can see the similarities, but they are different because of the way they are printed."
Nind described printmaking as being like any other art form.
"You are introduced to a medium from which then you have to expand," he said. "Working with ink and paper and a press takes quite a bit of time to understand the relationship between ink and pressure and acrylic plates."
Since it is the artists' first time showing their work to the public, Nind said they are excited.
"We hope lots of people come and learn about the process of printing, and also celebrate this new exhibition and support the artists who are doing this work."
Work from the Thin Ice Print Studio artists' will be on display and for sale at the Premiere Print Exhibition today at 5 p.m. in the Good Company building on 54 Street. The exhibition runs until tomorrow evening.
