Printmaker - Artist
Claire Bennett
Profile
All of Claire Bennett’s prints are artist’s originals – either one-off, unique pieces or printed in small, limited editions. Claire uses a range of print techniques in her work and she is, perhaps, most interested in exploring colour through processes such as monoprinting, collagraphs and screenprinting.
“My work is informed by natural forms as well as the landscapes and architecture of my surroundings; ultimately, however, my practice is guided by experimentation and the unpredictability of the printmaking process itself.”
Claire has a first-class honours in Fine Art and combines her own art practice alongside her work as a Lecturer in Printmaking. She regularly exhibits her work and currently has work showing in a number of galleries. She is happy to consider commissions from individuals and organisations.
In 2014, Claire completed the 'Certificate in Printmaking' at the Curwen Print Study Centre. In the same year, she was accepted as a Fellow of the Printmakers Group at the Digwell Arts Trust in Hertfordshire.
Since 2015, Claire has taken part in an annual art-science collaboration, each year producing work in response to the work of a scientist from the University of Cambridge. The resulting work is shown at the ‘Creative Reactions’ exhibition in Cambridge. In 2016, Claire's work - a printed glass sculpture piece - was awarded first prize.
What is an Original Artist's Print?
 Screen PrintsScreen printing dates back to the Song dynasty in 1st century China. The process uses a mesh screen, with some form of stencil, through which ink is pushed using a squeegee. Claire uses a range of screen printing techniques from hand-cut paper stencils (as in the image above) through to hand-drawn images which she exposes onto the screen with UV light. More recently, Claire has explored mono screenprinting, whereby unique prints are produced by painting directly onto an open screen. |  Original Artist's PrintsIt's important to know that, in many shops and galleries, the term 'print' may be used to describe a 'reproduction'. Even if a piece is signed by the artist - or sold as a limited edition - it could still be a digitally-produced copy. Similarly, a 'giclee print' is not an original print but is also a digital reproduction. In contrast, an original, artist's print is hand-printed by the artist from a printing block, plate or screen that he/she has specifically cut or made for the piece of art. |  Intaglio PrintsClaire Bennett uses a number of intaglio techniques in her work. Intaglio printmaking is when an image is incised onto the surface of a plate and the ink remains in these grooves, rather than on the surface of the plate. This contrasts with 'relief' prints such as linocuts when the surface of the plate is inked. Claire's intaglio work includes drypoints, when the image is engraved directly onto the plate, and etchings, whereby acid is used to 'bite' into the metal plate. |
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 LinocutsLinocuts are a form of relief printmaking. The surface of the lino is cut into and then inked with a roller; only the uncut surface - the 'relief' - will carry the ink and be printed. Claire prints her linocuts on a beautiful 'Albion' printing press, which is over 100 years old. |