'Cuts from the Rock' by Elizabeth Forrest

CUTS FROM THE ROCK:Newfoundland woodblock prints
By Elizabeth Forrest
October 4 – December 1, 2024

Opened as part of the Purple Hill Arts Creemore Festival of the Arts

This selection of prints were inspired by Elizabeth Forrest‘s residencies at Woody Point, NL near Gros Morne Park and in Grates Cove. The remarkable geology of the area is reflected in small stones and larger rocks, with colours often seen to best advantage when soaked with salt spray of the ocean. This work eventurally led to a solo exhibition called Wild Shores at Gerrard Art Space in Toronto. Forrest observed and made prints referring to man-made structures such as abandoned clapboard homes, and settler-made drystone walls, and abandoned sea implements – structures which contrasted with the surrounding wilderness.

Mokuhanga is is a traditional Japanese woodblock printing process using water-based inks. This series of mokuhanga prints were amongst the largestthe artist has completed in her career.

Mokuhanga, or Japanese woodblock printing, is a traditional art form that involves carving designs into wood blocks, inking them, and then pressing them onto paper to create prints. This technique has a rich history and is renowned for its beauty and precision. Here are the key elements of mokuhanga prints:

1. Materials:
   • Wood Blocks: Typically, blocks of cherry wood are used because of their hardness and fine grain, which allow for detailed carving.
   • Paper: Handmade Japanese paper (washi) is preferred for its durability and ability to hold ink well.
   • Ink: Water-based inks are used, allowing for vibrant colors and smooth gradations.
2. Process:
   • Design: The artist creates a detailed design, often drawing directly onto the wood block.
   • Carving: The design is carved into the wood block using special knives and chisels. Different blocks are carved for each color in the final print.
   • Inking: Ink is applied to the surface of the block using brushes. The inked block is then carefully aligned with the paper.
   • Printing: The paper is pressed onto the block using a hand-held tool called a baren. This process is repeated for each color block to build up the final image.
3. History:
   • Mokuhanga originated in China and was brought to Japan around the 8th century. It flourished during the Edo period (1603-1868) when it was used to produce ukiyo-e prints, depicting scenes of daily life, landscapes, and kabuki actors.
   • Famous artists like Hokusai and Hiroshige created iconic works using this technique.
4. Contemporary Use:
   • Today, mokuhanga is still practiced by artists around the world who appreciate its traditional methods and aesthetic qualities.
   • The technique is often used to create both traditional and modern designs, blending historical craftsmanship with contemporary artistic expression.

Mokuhanga prints are admired for their rich colours, fine details, and the unique texture that comes from the interaction between the wood grain, paper, and ink.

About the Artist

Elizabeth Forrest was born in Vancouver, raised in Montreal and has lived mainly in Toronto. After obtaining her B.A., she graduated from the Ontario College of Art majoring in printmaking and she later taught printmaking at OCA for 7 years. Subsequently, she went to Japan to study “mokuhanga” (Japanese woodblock printing) where she stayed exhibiting and teaching English for 11 years.
After returning to Toronto she reconnected with print facility Open Studio teaching mokuhanga workshops there and participating in many affiliated exhibitions. She completed residencies at Toronto Island’s Artlodge; Grate’s Cove, Newfoundland and Caylus France where she developed a passion for stones as geological and cultural phenomena of place. She additionally curated several international mokuhanga exhibitions in Toronto.

In 2018 she moved to Waterloo, Ontario where she continues her practice, teaches workshops and assists voluntarily with the Grand River Artist Collective. In 2022, she was selected by the City of Waterloo for her public art designs for shade and barrier structures at the soon-to-be-opened Sunview and Hemlock Parks in the university residential area of the city.

Discover more of Elizabeth’s incredible printmaking on Partial.