Mono Variations

California Regional Monoprint Exhibition

Arc Gallery | January 13–February 17, 2024
Artists Reception | Saturday, January 13, 7–9pm
Closing Reception | Saturday, February 17, 12–3pm

The Monoprint technique offers print artists one of the most basic ways to make an impression with a repeating template, stencil, or stamp, that can be loaded with infinite variation. A monoprint series pressed from a static matrix has a repeating, and yet always morphing theme.

California-based printmakers and members of the California Society of Printmakers were invited to submit up to 3 prints from a series of monoprints. The submissions chosen by the juror–to show in pairs–explore image making serially through the use of the same template, or marked plate over the course of many prints. The artwork produced for this call is wildly inventive. Artists came to their own interpretations of the prospectus, and process, in ways the organizers could never have anticipated. Ultimately, the singular print became varied. The multiple impressions of each collection of prints tell a story, connected by its own origin and trajectory.

Participating Artists

Begitte Lynge Andersen, Karen Baden Thapa, Eva Bernstein, Anthea Black, Meri Brin, Mark Brodie, Megan Broughton, Donna Brown, Caren Catterall, Beth Fein, Karen Fiorito, Sarah Grimm, Marian Harris, Kathryn Kain, Quinn Keck, Joanna Kidd, Danguole Kuolas, Geneviève L’Heureux, Kippi Leonard, Aileen Lum, Ellen Markoff, Mary V Marsh, Monique Martin, Vicki Nakamura, AV Pike, Deborah Rantz, Donna Sharee, Siana Smith, Ginger Tolonen, Susan Trubow, Katherine Warinner, Nancy Willis, Susan Wolf.

Juror Statement

Michelle Edelman | thetintgallery.com

The exhibition Mono Variations explores the ways in which printmakers can create a continuum between works. We’ve chosen 2 monoprints by each artist to highlight ways in which a monoprint can be re-invented. The result is a series of works that elicit a call and response. The method and manner of the re-invention takes many shapes, forms, techniques, and colors. Each artist uses their own method of printmaking. Some of the many types in this exhibition include printing from: woodblocks, copper plates, stencils, plexiglass, phototransfer, wax paper, laser cut birch, one artist even uses plastic packaging as the foundation for their prints. Some works reuse a marked plate, only changing the colors in the next work. Some artists use multiple plates that they then rearrange, creating a completely new composition. Some works are enhanced with additional imagery. In some works, multiple plates are layered on top of each other, with new colors and new physical placement of the plates, creating a work that is almost unrecognizable from the first monoprint. In such cases, the continuity between the two works is visible through the techniques employed rather than in a strict visual comparison with the first monoprint. What remains constant throughout all the works is an exploration of the concept of serialization in printmaking.

Exhibition Artwork

Each artist in Mono Variations have two artworks from their series on view as a pair at Arc Gallery. Artists were invited to present up to five works from the same series in the online gallery. Digitally displaying a wide array from each artist’s project highlights the depth and breadth of the collection.

Artist’s Statements

Mono Variations Exhibition Catalog

To view as a slide show (or in higher resolution) click on any image. Then use arrows to navigate.

Contact  exhibitions@caprintmakers.org.