Printmaking has been entwined in our culture and social development for many centuries. During that time many printmaking techniques have evolved. Printmaking is not an easy area and many artists over the years have experimented relentlessly to discover exciting and different ways of working.
Over forty years ago Dave Gunning designed and started to manufacture the ‘Gunning Presses’ enabling artists to print in many different ways. Suddenly the same machine could print an etching, then a lino, then a woodcut, these are but a few of the possibilities. Thousands of his printing machines are now out in schools, colleges, art centres, museums, and in private studios. The Gunnings have run hundreds of workshops in schools and colleges which have promoted printmaking to all ages over the last four decades.Our Annual Printmaking Open Competition shines a spotlight on all the different printmaking techniques both traditional and modern and allows us to celebrate the very best in printmaking today. All successful applicants will be included in a 10-week Exhibition located at our beautiful gallery built in the 1890s by the Coalbrookdale company (founded by Abraham Darby), located in the Ironbridge UNESCO World Heritage site.A huge well done to all our amazing prize winners your work was outstanding. Thank you to all our amazing sponsors for your generosity and support.
Dave Gunning writes below about each of the Winners and why their work was chosen..
Gunning Etching Press Prize Winner
‘The Bull Of Iffley’ by Wayne Longhurst
‘One of the most fabulous reduction lino’s I have ever seen. The dynamic presence all the artist’s work in the exhibition knocks the viewer sideways. The depth created in the work is outstanding and the use of colour is second to none.’
Ironbridge Fine Arts Prize
‘Red Mask’ by Katya Timoshenko ARE
“A very captivating Aquatint etching work. The choice of colour and the execution of the print is spell bounding. What an image. Strong, vibrant, the power of the work vibrates through the gallery. I can’t wait to see more of this”.
Ironbridge Fine Arts Prize Winner
‘The Faux Dodo’ by Faith Chevannes
“What an image, it’s so happy. Another work in this exhibition that hits you in the heart. Well executed and a lovely work that you could look at that brings a smile to your face.” Dave Gunning
Ironbridge Fine Arts Prize
‘Central’ by Emma Bowater
“This Photogravure print is gritty in feeling. It captures for me the feeling you get when visiting areas of post war decay. Buildings that are lost in time. Images of decaying brickwork and old signs forgotten and from another place in history. Great print, can’t wait to see more.” Dave Gunning
AW Hainsworth Prize Winner
‘Ay up we’re avin us photo took’ by John Martin
“A mixed media lino cut with much character. The imagery is strong and depicts a lost time very well.” Dave Gunning
AW Hainsworth Prize Winner
‘Lace Mill’ by Karen Wicks
“A wonderfull collograph capturing the austere quality of lace mill. A well-executed print.” Dave Gunning
AW Hainsworth Prizes
‘Forest Mother’ by Elizabete Kozlovska RA
“A spell binding work with many interesting twists and turns. The Pagan connections in this lino print and the simplicity of technique hold the viewer’s attention to look, go away, and try to find out more about the symbolism crying out in this very strong artwork.” Dave Gunning
WR Davies Toyota Prize Winner
Geri Waddington ‘Artichoke’
“A beautiful work executed using Resingrave. The technique is unforgiving and very difficult to execute. Magic design, unforgettable, beautiful work.” Dave Gunning
John Purcell Paper Prize
Georgina Fay ‘ They gave back what they took away’
A lovely combination of etching techniques. The Aquatint is super combined with the photo etching. The imagery is finely drawn and provokes thought and love about our ancestors who existed at that ancient time.
Permajet Prize
Christine Watson PS ‘ Steps up Syros’
A great little body of work. The Mezzotint is superbly executed. The subject matter entirely suits the technique, but there is a lot more in these works.
The richness of the tones, the atmosphere which takes the viewer to a romantic set of places. The secret spaces fascinate and mystify the viewer. Great work!
Cranfield Prize
‘Syros Steps’ Christine Watson
“Another lovely combination of etching techniques by Christine. The softness and incredible use of tone leaves the viewer spell-bound by her work”. Dave Gunning
Essdee Prize Winner
‘Dahlia’ by Natalie Pymm
“A lovely colourful Lino reduction print. The composition is very forceful, captivating and superbly executed.” Dave Gunning
Essdee Prize Winner
‘Ontop of the World’ by Gilly Woodhead
“A beautiful and happy Reduction Lino print. The image of the bee in stunning and the technique is faultless. I have been so impressed with everything about this print. When a print makes you smile it has a magic about it which we all must hang on to because Reduction Linos like this don’t come along very often!” Dave Gunning
Pressing Matters Prize Winner
‘No Home No Bone’ by Kate Alger
“A wonderful image. Dogs make us all happy and this monotype does that. Well executed and full of character. I love the use of space around the dog.” Dave Gunning
Anglo Prize Winner
‘Chopper’ by Dave Baines
“What a super screen print. I have thought about this print more than any other because it sticks in your mind. It speaks about today and yet takes us back to the past. The bombers scare the pants of me but the chopper bike smooths everything over and makes me feel home and safe.” Dave Gunning
Cello Press ‘Printmaking Today’ Prize Winner
‘Precious’ by Julia Timmins
“An incredibly executed piece of wood engraving. Mesmerizing is the word. One could look at this forever and still keep looking.” Dave Gunning
Cello Press ‘Printmaking Today’ Prize Winner
‘Early Morning at the Old House, Malvern’ by Moira McTaigue
“This is a very well-made group of Aquatint etchings. The precision of the plates makes for a well-balanced print. The care in the choice of imagery makes for a feast of looking into the different prints. The atmosphere created holds the viewers’ attention and one gets the feeling of the artist’s true oneness with the objects, and sense of place.” Dave Gunning
Etching Printing Press No. 2
by Gordon Yapp, Royal Birmingham Society of Artists
Etching Printing Press No.1
by Fiona Thomson
