Conventional Printmaking: A Tribute for Upholding the Struggle

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It is truly a remarkable and honourable thing when the ‘printmaking’ which is a discipline in fine art possess its own distinct ‘conventions’. These ‘conventions’ indirectly describe the main characteristics of an art discipline which must not be taken for granted. In fact, these characteristics must be seen from a wider perspective. The value of these ‘conventions’ is not limited to descriptive information system with regard to an ‘edition’, ‘artwork title’, and the ‘mark of authorship with year’; the value goes even further to become ‘evidence-based’ which is associated with the law that leads to systematic evidence by the prosecutor againstthe accused (possible cases – artwork theft or plagiarism).

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This situation refers to the struggle towards conventional printmaking discipline that is considered as extremely ‘rigid’ in its operation. However, the result from the artwork will surely reflect exquisite images and the meticulousness of the printmaker. In a limited ‘block’ space, and the complicated printing edition, the printmaking artist clearly shows his ability to produce a mesmerizing piece of artwork. Moreover, the nature of ‘multiple ownership’ becomes an element of ‘togetherness’ and ‘esprit de corps’ in printmaking; another significant thing is the ‘proofing mark’ which provides information about its ownership

(such as – edition 1/10, Bon a Tirer, Artist Proof or AP, and etc.).

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In terms of principles, the convention in printmaking appears to be the medium to the ‘general dissemination’ for any information; it plays the role as a medium to the ‘war of nerves’; and it also turns out to be a platform to record doctrines which the printmaking artists believe in. In upholding the fight in the art of printmaking which has an ‘indoctrination’ character, clearly, it is an underlying
‘convention’ which forms a manifesto for a certain struggle. For hundreds of years, conventional printmaking has been able to prove its ability to spread important information in the development of major revolutions which were in pursuit of developing a new country or civilization.