We were fortunate enough to get the chance to see some incredible prints in the Tate Britain Print room, where our guide patiently and to such great detail told us all about some of the world's most iconic prints. It's just so interesting to hear the process of how a print exists, and how the ways in which the relationship between print studios and artists work. I can really appreciate a print so much more in the flesh than in a photograph, so I really recommend you go when you can. It is appointment only, but if it's to your interest, it's so worth spending an afternoon just flicking through some of the most beautiful portfolios in the world.
Woodcut, Gertrude Hermes
Woodcut, Gabo
A mixture of print techniques, Hockney
Also it never occurred to me that artists create print portfolios specifically to be seen in a portfolio... Designed to be handled by the viewer and seen by one or two individuals at once. There's no other way of seeing these that by visiting. My favourites were the two prints by Gertrude Hermes, The Tony Bevan prints on the wall, and most definitely Michael Landy's portfolio 'Nourishment'. If there's one thing every print enthusiast must do, it would be to see that portfolio. Just exquisite.
Visit the Tate website here to make an appointment with them.
