21st Sarcelles International Engraving Biennial

Published on: 7 Dicembre 2023 Published in: Non categorizzato

The 21st Sarcelles International Engraving Biennial is on now and until 10 December at the Janine Haddad School in Sarcelles, France. This event is a point of reference for engravers from all over the world, and this time 250 artists from 36 countries are represented.

This year’s featured country is Mexico. The boom in printmaking in Mexico can be attributed to two artists, Rufino Tamayo and Francisco Toledo. The exhibition is also a first chance to see the magnificent prints being made in Etla-Oaxaca prison. Oaxaca is a town totally dedicated to printmaking with intaglio engraving and woodblock printing studios on every street corner. It is home to an arts centre and is renowned worldwide for its printmaking.

Prisoners’ prints © D.R.

© Jetro González, La diosa de Tepantitla, un árbol cósmico

© Enrique Flores, En la costa,

Assadour Bezdikian, the French-Lebanese painter and printmaker, is guest of honour.

“I engraved my first plate, with a drypoint, in Perugia (Italy). My teacher was Father Diego, a Franciscan monk who was very well versed in printmaking techniques. I’ll never forget him… I immediately acquired a passion for the copper plate, such a mysterious, magical surface to work on.”

ARCHES® is partnering the event.