Statement
When I first encountered printmaking, it was love at first sight.
I have tried working with a variety of techniques over the years; drawing, painting, intermedia arts, etc. but it has always been printmaking that was a clear fit. Print, with its unique aesthetics, ability for expression, importance on both technical and creative, gave meaning to my artistic creation, to my life.
I work with an ever-increasing range of print media; lithography, linocut, wood engraving, monotype and woodcut. Each has its own qualities and distinctive method. Making plates, the printing process and the resulting problem solving is a constant challenge that fuels my desire to create. Working with my hands and being involved in every aspect of the process (carving, drawing, etching, printing, etc.) is vital to my craft, keeping me grounded in a world that has become increasingly centered around the digital and technology.
In contrast to working with very traditional techniques, I am hoping through my subject matter to express the feeling of ‘now’, ‘the present’. I am inspired by the world that I see in front of me and try to find a way to look at it differently, to bring out the meaning hidden beneath. I make works to reflect on everyday experiences and how society and identity are constantly changing.
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About
Valerie Syposz (born Ottawa, Canada 1984) received a BFA in painting and drawing from Concordia University in 2008. In 2010, she was selected as a MEXT Japanese Government Scholar recipient and moved to Japan. She completed a MFA in printmaking from Tokyo University of the Arts in 2013. Her work is centred on traditional printmaking (e.g. lithography, linocut, wood engraving) often embellished with other techniques after printing. Valerie frequently participates in international exhibitions and artist in residence programs. She has held solo exhibitions in Canada, Japan, Australia and Norway.
