Alexander/Heath Contemporary
presents an exhibition of the art of
world-renowned printmaker
April Vollmer
May 4 through June 23, 2018
OPENING RECEPTION:
Art-by-Night Friday, May 4th, 6 to 10 pm
Live Entertainment / Refreshments
Gallery open Fridays, 7-8:30 pm / Saturday 2-3:30 pm, or by appointment:
contact via Email: hettig@alexander-heath.com
Cell: Edward Hettig, 607.226.2473
Images from Opening Exhibition on May 4th, 2018
SHORT ARTIST STATEMENT
A New York based an artist and printmaker with an MFA from Hunter College, I work primarily in mokuhanga, Japanese woodcut. In addition to exhibiting my prints I have taught mokuhanga classes at workshops across the U.S. as well as in Canada, Japan, Serbia and Spain. Communicating with other artists through teaching, lecturing and writing is a significant aspect of my identity as an artist. My work has been published in journals including Science, Contemporary Impressions and Art in Print and my book Japanese Woodblock Print Workshop was released by Watson-Guptill in 2015.
Residencies outside New York have been significant sources of inspiration. I have enjoyed unique opportunities at the MacDowell Colony, the Virginia Center for Creative Arts and Anderson Ranch. But it was my 2004 residency at Nagasawa Art Park in Japan that transformed my approach and convinced me to devote my energy to this traditional Japanese technique. I also found great support from my friends in Japan. I was invited on the board of the First and Second International Mokuhanga Conferences in 2011 and 2014, and spent a month working on my book as the first writer researcher at the Mi-Lab residency program. I assisted with publicity for the Third International Mokuhanga Conference. I am currently Communications Attaché, managing publicity and social networking for the International Mokuhanga Association.
As an outsider, I approached the traditional Japanese technique in an unconventional way, developing approaches suited to my own work. I respect traditional craftsmanship, but focus on the most essential characteristics of mokuhanga to make it more accessible for creative artists. I reuse blocks in various combinations as a library of autobiographical records. I often rotate or repeat blocks to generate unexpected patterns. I use the computer to construct my compositions, and have incorporated digital printing and laser cut blocks in my work. In spite of my engagement with computer imaging, hand cut wood blocks and handmade paper remain essential elements, my work remains rooted in the physicality of the materials. Carefully observed details from nature are transformed through the complex processes of printmaking; the finished prints are clearly made by hand.
April Vollmer / New York City / 2017
www.aprilvollmer.com
www.facebook.com/april.vollmer
www.mokuhanga.org
Artist and author of Japanese Woodblock Print Workshop