Mangkaja Art Centre hosts an etching workshop

Mervyn Street spit biting a new etching plate during the workshop conducted at Mangkaja Arts in Fitzroy Crossing, Western Australia in November by Basil and Mats. Mangkaja purchased a small etching press for the project and it made a huge difference to be able to show over 20 artists their proofs in full colour at the end of the four day experience. Some older plates and silkscreen prints, commenced over three years ago but never completed, have finally been resolved. Mangkaja artists were joined by a number of artists from Wangkatjunka Community to the south-east and made etchings with aquatinted colours, silkscreen prints and drypoints. The boab nut carving skills of a couple of the artists were evident in their plate-work, as the pocket knife replaced western etching needles and scrapers to great effect. Our thanks to all the wonderful Mangkaja staff and artists for a great week.