THE 300 works submitted to the sixth National Open Print Exhibition at the Arts Centre, Galway, testify to a substantial level of interest in the print medium in Ireland. Unfortunately, however, only 72 pieces from 50 artists reached the standard set by the adjudicator, Norman Ackroyd, from the Royal College of Art. A pity also that, in an exhibition which was not a theme show, prizewinners had to emerge from a body of work in which high standards were achieved all round.
A comprehensive range of printing and graphic processes, both traditional and contemporary, exude a disparity of styles and subject matter, featuring all the textures and effects peculiar to the print.
The winning etching of Margo McNulty and the second placed lithograph of David Du Bose are full of technical merit and personal vision, as is the etching of Tomas O Ciobhain, Marie Louise Martin and Hugh McDonald. Also worthy of note is the screen printing of Terrence Gravette and Peter Jones.