Edition Two
Historically, women in printmaking have been relegated to a lesser status to their male counterparts. This taxonomic thinking still lingers today, and it is in this space that More Than Reproduction was born; with the intent to reclaim the value, power and strength of Women in Print. Personified as a satisfying flex of the bicep towards the patriarchy, Edition Two marks More Than Reproduction’s two-year anniversary as an operating print collective and emerging community of empowered women artists. It is no coincidence that the exhibition overlaps with International Women's Day, due to its affiliated intent to recognise and celebrate women and gender diverse artists. This exhibition focuses in particular on those who are invested in printmaking – a process both physically and technically demanding, and seeks to showcase the diversity of contemporary printmaking practice and take occupancy of a medium that has traditionally been male-dominated.
Edition Two is fittingly situated in White Rhino Artspace, a gallery space established by a group of women to provide a platform to support creative females and emerging artists. The exhibition is a celebration of the vast and diverse talents of eighteen emerging Sydney-based artists, who have been involved with More Than Reproduction to varying capacities over the past two years. These artists represent an expanse of ages, skill-sets, locations, education, and careers; although many would be considered in the early-career phase.
Underpinned by parallels and polarities, Edition Two explores the dynamic and malleable manner of contemporary printmaking practice and its interdisciplinary nature. Featuring a multifarious collection of etching, linocut, woodblock, lithography, serigraphy, and monoprinting, the exhibition substantiates the versatility of print-related media and its positioning in both focused and cross-disciplinary practices. Demonstrating the process-driven nature of printmaking, the works navigate the dichotomy – yet, homogeneity - between contemporary and traditional printing processes, notably through the integration of digital technologies, and post-production manipulation. There is an active shifting between the ritual and the highly experimental, collectively challenging what we have come to expect from print-related media. These juxtaposed imageries and substrates, exemplify a diverse sensibility towards printmaking methodologies and applications, indicative of the potential and possibilities of the medium.
Although each artwork is disparate to one another, Edition Two as a whole navigates the breadth and depth of printmaking, surveying the diversity of contemporary art practice - both materially and conceptually - and celebrating the ways that women are currently making in our current context.
Featuring Eleanor Amiradaki, Lucy Bell, Zoe Bilston, Bea Buckland-Willis, Sarah Catania, Harriett Clark, Elizabeth Creixell, Isabella Feek, JAH (aka Judith Harvey), Elizabeth Lewis, Bella Mowczko, Rebecca O’Shea, Bethany Smith, Georgia Steele, Joanna Williams, and Georgia Williamson.
More Than Reproduction is a collective of Sydney-based emerging creatives with a passion for all things printmaking. We aim to celebrate and promote female artists, curators and creatives, with a particular focus on printmaking practices and themes of femininity, womanhood and equality. We strongly believe in equal representation and opportunity, with More Than Reproduction seeking to provide a platform for women in printmaking to have their voices heard and thrive.
More Than Reproduction produces monthly artist profiles, showcasing the talents and achievements of emerging Australian printmakers. They also provide news of upcoming exhibitions, opportunities and ‘ones-to-watch’, specifically through their weekly Instagram take-overs, Women Wednesday. More Than Reproduction has hosted a number of group exhibitions including: Edition One (2020) at Gaffa Gallery, and their first online exhibition, Print in Isolation (2020).
We acknowledge and pay respect to the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the traditional custodians of the land of which More Than Reproduction was founded and operates. We extend our respects to all First Nations people, acknowledging that sovereignty was never ceded.
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners, the Cammeraygal, and their Country on which White Rhino Artspace stands. We pay our respects to the Elders in the past and in the present and those that are emerging.
