IT Carlow's Wexford Campus School of Art and Design (IT Carlow) continues its collaboration with Wexford General Hospital in an exhibition of Woodblock Prints by the 1st year honours degree students of Art and Visual Communications. These new works are displayed in the Link Corridor-Slaney Suite and Radiology at Wexford General Hospital. The collaboration between the Hospital and the Art School was initiated by the Community Development Department, Tusla Child & Family Agency Wexford.
The woodblock prints are made using an ancient process that involved carving the image out of wood. We used chisels, gouges and also electric power tools with plywood. The ink is then rolled onto the flat wood. Paper is laid over the wet ink and then pressed by hand to produce the print. The surface of wood gives a pattern that often can be seen in the print and is sometimes incorporated into the image, resulting in a varied textural finish.
The students explained their creative process, “We explored the connections between earth and the solar system, the microscopic and the macroscopic and ideas linking the individual to the cosmos. Our research brought us to look at Darwin’s theory of evolution, the ideas of Rudolf Steiner, and the philosopher Robert Fludd, who claimed that plants are connected to the stars. Our journey took us through an investigation of space travel, comets and meteorites to the properties of healing plants and their corresponding body parts from X rays to brain scans, acupuncture to nanoparticles.”
Wexford Campus School of Art and Design, part of Wexford Campus IT Carlow, delivers Art and Design education for Wexford and the South East. Degree Courses are offered at BA and BA Honours levels in Art and Visual Communications & Design. The 1st Year Art and Visual Communications course is based in the heart of the town, at the former Borough Council Buildings in Hill Street. The courses are run by vibrant and dedicated staff, who are active in art and design practice, including public art and community-based art and design.
ENDS