Artists to showcase work in Stockholm letterpress exhibition
FIVE Shetland artists are set to feature in an exhibition in Stockholm later this year.
Michael Wiseman is one of two local artists selected to exhibit in the main Nordic Letterpress Network Exhibition in Sweden this August and September.
This marks his first public exhibition, which is said to be a “significant and exciting moment” both for him and arts organisation Gaada where Wiseman attends weekly workshops to access printmaking equipment such as letterpress, screenprint and intaglio.
The Nodic Letterpress Network invited submissions from across the region, and while Wiseman and Gaada co-founder Daniel Clark both have work selected for the main showcase, three other artists will be featured in the digital strand of the exhibition.
They are Robert Burns, Issey Medd and Jono Sandilands.
This news follows the recent announcement by Heritage Crafts that letterpress printing has been added to its red list of endangered crafts.
Reflecting on the experience, Wiseman said: “I’m very thankful to be offered the chance to exhibit in Sweden.”
Talking about his Frozen Gloves letterpress print Wiseman submitted, he stated: “The experience is hard to remember, but setting the text in letterpress and making the artwork is a lightsome reminder of what we did when we were there.
“It was my version of an Arctic Convoy!
“I was what was known as a first tripper – it was my first time on a ship fishing – and it was to Bear Island off the coast of Norway. It was quite an experience.”
Sandilands, workshop coordinator at Gaada’s Toogs artist workshop, said: “We are so proud of Michael and this well-deserved recognition of his work.
“It’s incredibly meaningful for Shetland Artists to be included in this international exhibition – it put Shetland firmly on the contemporary letterpress map and strengthens our creative connections across the Nordic region.
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“Shetland has a rich history with printing, and we’re lucky to have a humble letterpress facility at the workshop, some of which includes type from historical Shetland printers. It’s a beautiful way to connect different artists, places and ideas.
“Michael has been exploring our letterpress equipment when he began coming to weekly workshops in 2023 and he’s really taken the lead on letterpress printing at the workshop.
“To see him exhibit internationally for the first time is something truly special.”
The Nordic Letterpress Network Exhibition will take place at Grafiska Sällskapet, Hornsgatan 6, Stockholm from 29 August to 17 September with opening hours Tuesday to Thursday 12pm–6pm and Friday to Saturday 12pm-4pm.
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