wayne a. crothers (australia)

1. tell us about your everyday environment,
your hobbies and lifestyle

2. what do you see as the point of your works?

3. tell us your thoughts on the problems printmaking is facing today ? what might they be and where's the solution?

4. do you use computers in your work,
and if so, how do they help you and what do you think of them?

5. what do you think are the best and worst sides of print art?

6. what does printmaking give and mean to you?

7. where did you get the idea from to take part
in the tallinn print triennial?

8. your favourite artists?

lifestyle
over the last several years my lifestyle has become increasingly nomadic or without one regular residence or studio work place. such a lifestyle can pose some practical problems for an artist continually making works and collecting items of inspiration. however, in most situations a solution is found in the form of friends or helpful art patrons and institutions. for most artists financial dilemma is a constant factor. however, increasingly there are opportunities for artists to work in different locations and establish affiliations with universities, foundations or studios for a short-term stay or visiting teaching period. over the last 8 years i have divided my time between australia and japan creating art works in both countries establishing relationships with such institutions or privately setting up a simple studio in basements, disused buildings, rented or borrowed spaces. the lines, marks, writings, and abstraction of imagery in my work represent an inner mapping or emotional imprint as a response to social issues, observations, experiences and emotions from these places and therefore take the form of a diary, notebook or personal critique of places and societies.

the value of printmaking as contemporary artistic medium
images produced via print onto paper have survived the ages preserving knowledge, philosophy, social customs and thought. not only are these aspects appreciated, but also the ascetic tactual and durable qualities of ink and paper are regarded as being of great artistic value. in the contemporary world there seems to be some consternation over the future role of tactile graphic works, many have the opinion that film, photography and images stored digitally will replace hand-printed images. these recent techniques, whilst being of great value, lack tactility and longevity in their original forms. although there may be some advantages of transferability in transposing old film to new film or outdated digital technology to new forms of digital technology, the original concept of "hand to material" creation and the aesthetic of an ink to paper generated image can not be superseded.

views on computer generated graphic art?
computer generated imagery is not a threat to manually created graphic art. it is an important new element to the medium. it should defiantly be taken seriously and its possibilities explored. however, i do see an important responsibility resting with curators and administrators, whose attitudes are influential in directing the future of graphic art, not to become over enthusiastic and carried away with the computer medium on the basis of it being new and fashionable. there seems to be a trend of supporting computer imagery purely for reasons of it being novel and seemingly contemporary. such curatorial practices and support will be detrimental to all other graphic mediums and their contemporary development. it is important that works of all mediums should be judged and appreciated on the merit of their concept, creativity, social relevance, technical skill and artistic value.

the tallinn print triennial
the broad confrontation of international artistic trends presented at the tallinn triennial is of great importance and interest to artists and art lovers. this presentation of graphic techniques as a vibrant contemporary art form is respected and appreciated as a leading forum of contemporary applications with paper, ink and image transferal. in doing so tallinn print triennial has established itself as a unique international event presenting the best examples of art work by leading artists in their medium. it's a triennial with a consistent theme and mounting reputation.