Mike Dingley in Blue Mountains Print Prize

Michael Dingley entered 2 framed works in the Blue Mountains Print Prize which opened in Glenbrook on Friday 25th June 2021. Unfortunately the Greater Sydney Lockdown started the very next day, Saturday, and so the exhibition was unable to be viewed in person after that date although it could be viewed online. Fortunately he sold both works on the opening night. The frames were restricted to a maximum size of 45cm x 33cm.

The first print was titled Not of this World and is a photopolymer intaglio print with Chine Collé on Magnani incisioni 310gsm paper. It is an edition variable of 20

The second work is titled Strata, Edition variable of 6 printed on Magnani prescia 300gsm paper with the artist proof sold at the exhibition. It is a hand coloured print and the method he used to make this print was based on technique he learned in a workshop he attended run by Basil Hall of Basil Hall Editions. The photopolymer intaglio print was printed on a larger size piece of Iwaki paper using black ink. The print was left to dry over a few days and when dry was coated on the reverse with slightly dilute Yamato paste and allowed to dry. Coloured pigments in powder form were dissolved/suspended in diluted Yamato paste. The print was placed image side down on a light box and the colours were applied using a paint brush. When the colours had been applied the work was again allowed to dry. When dry the image was cut to size and sprayed with water on the reverse to dampen the paste. It was placed paste side up on the press and the dampened carrier sheet was laid on top and run through the press to glue both sheets together. Although it is in effect an intaglio print the finished print does not have the impression of the plate as it was cut away when the image was cut to size. For the purists this would not be familiar. However, the result is interesting.

“Not of this World” Michael Dingley

“Strata” Michael Dingley