Trykkeriet in Bergen opened its doors in the autumn of 2010 and has since grown to become the largest resource center for graphic art in the Nordic region. The center offers courses, print production, studio rentals, exhibitions, and sales from its own collection.
Five years ago, we were the curators and co-producers of the exhibition The Dream of Community shown at KODE Art Museum in Bergen. The exhibition marked the 100th anniversary of Norske Grafikere (The Association of Norwegian Printmakers), but also celebrated Trykkeriet’s first decade. This year we mark 15 years as a production and exhibition venue for contemporary printmaking, and once again we wish to emphasize the importance of community as a foundation for the creation of art.
Art is rightly perceived as an individual expression—the artist’s distinctive line, brushstroke, or cut left in a material, a unique statement that stands out from the crowd. But, like all parts of our society, every work of art is also part of a larger, complex web.
The medium of printmaking, with its ability to multiply text and images—and therefore its important position in the development of democracy and freedom of expression—is a cultural heritage and set of values we hold dear. Our primary asset is our staff and their technical and artistic expertise. Additionally, our production equipment—the machines—and the physical space we have to handle both small and large formats are essential.
Each year, four contemporary artists are invited to create new works and exhibitions in our own gallery space, working closely with the staff. By agreement, the production is shared between the artist and Trykkeriet. Over the years, this has allowed us to build a substantial collection of prints from more than 60 artists. It is from this collection that we have selected works for the exhibition FREEDOM AND COMMUNITY. We want to highlight the fact that the artist is not always alone in their studio, but often seeks both inspiration and expertise in a community to realize new ideas and expressions.
The subtitle—In a Time of Preparedness—clearly refers to the political situation, both nationally and globally, where preparedness has become the mantra of every discussion about the defense of people and country. Art and culture are soft values that rarely, if ever, have a place in these conversations. We therefore believe it is important to remind ourselves of what this policy of preparedness is ultimately meant to defend: namely, democracy and freedom of expression. Contemporary art is a small but significant piece of our cultural diversity. It is a space where unfamiliar perspectives, contradictions, belief, and doubt can unfold and challenge us in a room for reflection.
In the exhibition, we wish to highlight the collective production methods of printmaking and its ability to incorporate drawing, painting, and photographic expressions. For this, we have brought together ten artists with whom Trykkeriet has collaborated over the past 15 years:
Ciara Phillips, Toril Johannessen, Espen Sommer Eide, Azar Alsharif, Gardar Eide Einarsson, Vilde Salhus Røed, Kurt Johannessen, Cato Løland, Daniel Persson, and Lotte Konow Lund.
FREEDOM AND COMMUNITY, showcasing works by ten artists—each with their own technical choices, artistic expressions, and approaches—is Trykkeriet’s contribution to cultural preparedness, and we are ready for further strengthening in the years to come!
Rita Marhaug,
Chair of the Board, Foreningen Trykkeriet