Lindy Furby

Lindy Furby

Email: Lindyfurby@gmail.com

Phone: 07929781933

Website: www.lindyfurby.co.uk (I can be contacted through my website)

I have been a lifelong lover of the outdoor landscape. I have climbed, walked, camped, skied up and down,kayaked and swam, engaging with and enjoying the landscape in physically active ways.

My artwork is just a continuation of this. I engage with the landscape this time by sitting still, looking, contemplating and finally mark making- usually water colour sketches. This behaviour burns the landscape into my brain in a way that taking a photograph cannot. When I return home I revisit the sketches and transfer the images to collagraph plates and print the landscapes I have experienced. In a very real way I revisit the landscape and remember it: my artwork attaches me to the landscape and I remember it; like an invisible umbilical cord.

By selling my work, I offer others who might not have the time or inclination to make art, the opportunity to revisit their favoured landscapes in their own homes; they share my experience.

A Tribute to Norman Ackroyd

I feel that Sheffield Printmakers should mark the passing of Norman Ackroyd C.B.E. R.A. (1938-2024). As you’ll know Norman was considered to be Britain’s foremost exponent of the etching process. His work has been acclaimed and exhibited internationally. His loss will have an enormous impact, not least because he championed printmaking in an environment where many higher education institutions no longer offer printmaking courses or even modules on their degree programmes. Conscious of his having benefitted from state finance in his education, he made provision in his will for the financial support of a number of students who may not be so privileged.

Norman Ackroyd was born and raised in Leeds – one of five children. He studied at Leeds College of Art before moving to the Royal College of Art in London.  He specialised in rugged, atmospheric landscapes which he captured in watercolours and etchings to wide critical acclaim.   Working largely from his Bermondsey studio, he collaborated with other artists and poets, initially managing his own output and holding annual open studio events. In recent years he trusted more in gallery outlets, most noticeably Eames in London.  He was working until August of this year, his last piece being a watercolour for a restaurant in his locality.

I bumped into Neil Woodall last week who, for many years, expertly editioned many of Ackroyd’s prints from his studio in Sheffield. He felt Norman’s loss as life-changing. Some years ago I was fortunate to meet Norman when he gave a master class/demonstration of his techniques at Yorkshire Sculpture Park, ably assisted by Neil. This coincided with an exhibition of his work. He and Neil gave a wonderful performance to an audience who were enchanted with the partial initiation into the process of ‘painting with acid’ which was his trademark. I say ‘partial’ because mischievously, Norman always witheld a little something to tantalise his students. He and Neil were a great double act!

I hope that browsing Norman Ackroyd’s work will inspire other printmakers in these dark days.

For more information please see some of the many obituaries which appeared in the press. They include images of Norman’s work which for reasons of copyright I haven’t included.

Eames Fine Art

The Guardian

20:20 Print Exchange

Several members of Sheffield Printmakers took part in the 20:20 Print Exchange 2024.

The 20:20 Print Exchange is an annual international printmaking project organised by Hot Bed Press. Print groups – comprising five or more artists – each create 25 original prints, all sized 20×20 cm. In return, each participant receives a curated box of 20 unique prints from fellow artists around the world. One print from each edition joins a touring exhibition, showcasing the diversity of global printmaking.

Participation by Sheffield Printmakers was organised by Valerie Vernon. The submitted prints are shown below.

Wild at Heart by S.J. Knock
Trig Bagging by Sarah Calcutt
Dancing Tulips by Annetta Lambert
Still Life by Valerie Vernon
Dive by Valerie Vernon

S.J. Cooper-Knock

S.J. Cooper-Knock

S.J. Cooper-Knock returned to art, music and poetry several years ago. Their work ranges from immature puns to protest art, and from nature to urban areas.

They share their work on instagram, using @rebellion.knoll for their printmaking and @hopeandrebellion for their digital artwork.

Happy birthday Sheffield Printmakers!

Happy birthday Sheffield Printmakers!

2024 marks the tenth anniversary of Sheffield Printmakers. Our inaugural meeting took place on the first of April 2014 at the Rutland Arms on Brown Street in Sheffield.

In the previous year, one of the major inspirations for the creation of the group was an exhibition entitled ‘The Power of Print’ by Sheffield artist Leonard Beaumont, which ran at the Graves Gallery in Sheffield from December 2012 to September 2013.

Two other sources of inspiration came about through the effort of Sheffield Printmakers joining together to put on an exhibition and a fair.

In November 2012, several printmakers came together at the Workstation in Sheffield to exhibit their work, donate prints and raise funds for Water Aid. This exhibition was called ‘Waterprint’. The printmakers organising this very successful event were Peter York, Janet Beautyman, Sally Brooks, Josephine Pye and Anthea Stephenson. They all remain active members of Sheffield Printmakers in 2024.

In November 2013, a print fair was organised primarily by Janet Beautyman and Peter York. It was, again, a great success. The fair also raised funds for Water Aid and for St Mary’s Church in Sheffield, which was the venue.

After the success of the ‘Waterprint’ exhibition in 2012, the idea took hold to have a permanent organised group of like-minded printmakers, working together to promote printmaking in Sheffield. 2013 became a very busy year, as small groups of printmakers gathered together to discuss and plan the necessary actions and documentation needed for what became Sheffield Printmakers. An initial meeting designated ‘Future of Print’ took place on 20 March 2013 to discuss ideas and possibilities. Running print fairs and linked events, such as demonstrations and workshops was discussed, as were possible event venues and publicity matters. At a meeting in October, critical questions were asked: What do we want Sheffield Printmakers to be? What are our aims? Eventually, a constitution was written, a bank account opened and members were ready to commence operations in 2014. Peter York became Chair of the organisation and remained in this role until 2022. He still serves on the steering group today in the role of Artistic Advisor.

To celebrate our tenth anniversary in 2024, we are holding an exhibition at the Sock Gallery in Loughborough, once again on the theme of ‘Water’. The exhibition will run from 5 September to 13 October 2024.