Processing stories with Screen Printing

Screen printing has historically made its way across the world eventually making its way into modern day apparel design and textile designing. In my practice, the technique sort of fell into my lap while learning new skills at AUArts. There is a methodical system to screen printing and routines that develop from set up to clean up. The ability to plan and have things in place gave my chaotic mind a bit of comfort and I created some of my favourite pieces through this medium.

The screen printing I do and the stories I tell are often side by side throughout my processes. I can tell my stories through images, but the way in which they can show up through a digital rendering and onto an exposure are what challenge me as an artist. The vision in my mind doesn’t always cooperate with the techniques and I have learned to make peace with that reality. My work is only as good as I believe it to be and so I believe that “mistakes” or “inconsistencies” in the printing are not a bad thing and are instead moments of learning.

In my beadwork practice, having an odd bead or a “spirit bead” as we call them is integral to the final work. These out of place markings or beads are referencing the imperfections of being humans and this has carried through many of my mediums over the years.