Photography by Tegan Steele.

Georgia Steele

Georgia Steele is a Melbourne-based artist and curator. Completing her Bachelor of Arts in Fine Art at RMIT specialising in Printmaking. With a love for curation she is extending her study to complete her Honours in Curation at RMIT in 2021. Georgia is on the committee for the Print Council of Australia running their social media and marketing. Georgia is represented by Fire Station Print Studio and has exhibited with them in group shows and art fairs including Sydney Contemporary 2019-2020. Georgia also runs workshops in screen printing for Fire Station and is now running workshops in her local area of Hobsons Bay. Georgia has had her work in Vanity fair magazine and World of Interiors and exhibited in different cities including NYC and London. Georgia has recently curated the Wood Street Youth Art Prize 2020.

Georgia Steele, You Can’t See Me, 2020, silkscreen mono print, 74 x 40 cm (each). Image courtesy of the artist.

Georgia Steele, Out of Sight Out of Mind, 2020, silkscreen mono print, 74 x 40 cm. Image courtesy of the artist.

Georgia Steele, Winding, 2020, screenprint and collage, 78 x 29.5 cm. Image courtesy of the artist.

Georgia Steele, Finding Centre, 2020, screenprint on archival paper, 49 x 29.5cm. Image courtesy of the artist.

Tell us about your creative process, what drives your practice?

I am most driven by nature and what is happening around me. Most of my work is based on nature. I studied fine art at RMIT specialising in print-based techniques. Silkscreen is generally my go to print medium however haven’t been able to focus on colour halftone CMYK printing as my studio is not equipped with an exposure unit. I have started working with silkscreen mono printing which I have really taken a liking to.

We’ve noticed you’ve been delving into the world of mono-printing! How have you found the transition from detailed, ‘photographic’ screen printing, to more abstracted and painterly processes?

Thanks, yes I really enjoy the painterly technique and colourful outcomes that come out of mono printing. I did a little bit of reading into the technique but didn’t find much on it, really minimal number of artists using a silkscreen for mono-printing. It was great to try something new a be playful in my studio. It’s a fast medium that requires an element of planning and decision making. I like how fast it is, really feel like you are in the moment when mono-printing.

You’re super involved in the contemporary print scene, both as a successful emerging artist and an arts professional. How do you go about finding opportunities, and developing your professional practice?

It all comes down to one simple thing, Volunteering, and social media, also an element of working hard of course. I am passionate about print and am so happy I am part of this wonderful community. I have also done a few internships; one in Berlin for a German painter named Eric Schmidt, and the Print Council of Australia. I highly recommend applying for internships especially over summer break or trying to fit it into your weekly schedule. I am now on the committee for the Print Council of Australia and gained my first curatorial experience when I was interning there.

Are there any female printmakers | artists that influence you?

So many especially when studying at RMIT learning from artists that are practicing. Deborah Williams a fantastic teacher and inspiring teacher check out her etchings. Jazmina Cininas taught me the world of artist books which inspired me to make an artist book as part of my graduate show. Marguerite Brown curator and writer the general manager of the Print Council of Australia has been a huge influence on my curatorial background. Leading me to study honours next year at RMIT.

Finally, what exciting projects are you working on at the moment?

Continuing with my series ‘You Can’t See Me 2020,’ hoping to print a large-scale mono print which is super exciting. Have applied for a few art prizes and making work for an upcoming show for Fire Station Print Studio. Also have a few workshops coming up! Curated the Youth Art Prize for Hobsons bay that will be opening online in November.