Join artBahrain.org
ArtEscape
October
October 2011
Every summer since 1993 Chris Nowicki has been returning to
HAINES
(the ADVENTURE capital of ALASKA)
to print limited edition serigraphs for Native American and First Nation artists
EVERY SUMMER since 1993 Chris Nowicki has been returning to Haines, Alaska from his home in Poland to print limited edition serigraphs for Native American and First Nation artists. Chris’s first exposure to Northwest Coast Art was when he moved to Seattle in 1973, “My fascination and respect increases with ever new image that I print in this difficult and magical style. I am honored to have the confidence of these artists to print their exceptional designs”.
Also in 1993 Chris moved to Poland to pursue his own career as a printmaker eventually becoming a professor of printmaking at the Academy of Fine Art in Wroclaw, Poland. During the same summer of 1993 he was invited to Alaska by Lee Heinmiller of Alaska Indian Arts in Haines to print editions for John Hagan and Wayne Price. Since then he has returned every summer and has printed editions for Allie High, Greg Horner, Preston Singletary, Keith Wolf-Smarch (First Nation from Carcross, Canada), Terry Williams, Lance Twitchell and many others.
There is a style of printmaking that is not well known outside of the Pacific Northwest Coastal States of Oregon, Washington, and Alaska in the USA and the coast of Western Canada. It is a contemporary offshoot of the cultural history of the native peoples of this coastal region. The tribal names of Haida, Tlinget, Simshian, Kwakiutl, and Bella Coola are usually associated with wooden canoes and totem poles but the painted designs and totem images of this region are unique and beautiful.
In addition to his internationally recognized work in mezzotint Chris has been a professional screen process printer for years and while working at Two Dimensions in Seattle he had the opportunity to make limited edition serigraphs for such well known artists as, John Goodwin, David Boxley, Barry Herem, Duane Pasco, Terry Williams, Yuki Adams, Rie Munoz, and Dale DeArmond.
All the prints editioned in Alaska by Chris are printed by hand using hand-cut stencils. Chris has printed over 100 editions since first visiting Alaska. With the progress of the digital techniques and glace methods, fewer and fewer people are hand screen printing let alone hand-cutting stencils. These prints, as stated, are limited editions, there are only a few, usually not more than 100. This makes them attractive for people who want something special, something that is created with talent and expertise.
“My favorite part of the process is cutting the stencils. There is a rhythm and beauty in Northwest Coast work that I feel when cutting stencils it is almost like Tai Chi. The hand-cut method brings me closer to the creativity of the artist and the fascinating cultural history of this style. I have been working with Northwest Coast artists for over 30 years. And I thank the artists for allowing me to print their designs. Through them I have learned much about the Northwest Coast Style and Culture and it has made my life infinitely richer.”
- Chris Nowicki
Native American and First Nation Prints from the Pacific Northwest Coast of North America
Copyright © 2010, artBahrain.org. All rights reserved. Use of this site constitutes agreement with our Terms and Conditions.
International Museum of Image
Terzocchio Meridiani di Luce - Sole di Mezzanotte
(ThirdEye Meridian of
Light - Midnight Sun)
Librino,Catania
Deadline: Ongoing
FONDAZIONE ANTONIO PRESTI -FIUMARA D’ARTE
Call to Artist
