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| Linocut edition. Toni Hartill |
The Covid-19 pandemic reached New Zealand in late February 2020. As NZ went into a nation-wide "lock-down" on the 26th March, in order to stop the spread of the disease, printmaker crony Celia Walker sent out a call to a group of 16 printmakers across the country to participate in a print exchange inspired by our experiences during our period of isolation.
EDIT: To view the final exhibition "Distant Conversations" see my later post here.
My print was inspired by the concept that was drummed into us on a daily basis on all media
"Stay in your bubble" and features NZ kauri snails, a favourite critter of mine.
My appreciation for snails began when I read the utterly charming book "The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating" by Elizabeth Tova Bailey. I have not been able to squish a snail since!
And ever since I created a linocut kauri snail for the group exhibition "Forest has the Blues" I have become even more taken by snails. They have perhaps now been adopted as my totem animal.
"Snaily", aka "KS" traveled to Spain with me last year and has in fact become something of a celeb in his own right! Check out #snaily on Instagram and you'll find him there as you scroll down.
Snails also seemed to be a particularly apt symbol to use at this time representing adaptability, the need to slow down and make the most of what you have to hand.
The shell itself can symbolize safety, protection and self-reliance while the shell's spiral can represent growth, evolution, the cycles of nature, continuity, etc. Also the snail's habit of withdrawing into its shell when a threat is perceived, and its ability to seal itself away for long periods being completely self-reliant also seemed especially relevant.
At a time when we were confined to our homes and
our lives had to slow right down... well, you get the picture.
My print was inspired by the concept that was drummed into us on a daily basis on all media
"Stay in your bubble" and features NZ kauri snails, a favourite critter of mine.
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| Kauri snail linocut. Toni Hartill |
My appreciation for snails began when I read the utterly charming book "The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating" by Elizabeth Tova Bailey. I have not been able to squish a snail since!
And ever since I created a linocut kauri snail for the group exhibition "Forest has the Blues" I have become even more taken by snails. They have perhaps now been adopted as my totem animal.
"Snaily", aka "KS" traveled to Spain with me last year and has in fact become something of a celeb in his own right! Check out #snaily on Instagram and you'll find him there as you scroll down.
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| Snaily at Sergovia, Spain, 2019. |
Snails also seemed to be a particularly apt symbol to use at this time representing adaptability, the need to slow down and make the most of what you have to hand.
The shell itself can symbolize safety, protection and self-reliance while the shell's spiral can represent growth, evolution, the cycles of nature, continuity, etc. Also the snail's habit of withdrawing into its shell when a threat is perceived, and its ability to seal itself away for long periods being completely self-reliant also seemed especially relevant.
At a time when we were confined to our homes and
our lives had to slow right down... well, you get the picture.
"Stick to your Bubble"
Paper size: 17.5 cm x 25 cm
Media: Linocut
Paper: Hahnemuhle Stella Matte, 230 gsm
Edition of 30
I have printed an edition of 30 prints,
allowing for 16 for the exchange and the remaining edition to be available for sale.
I am offering a limited number of prints
for just $85 each.
Free shipping within our NZ bubble!
EDIT: Currently available from my online shop: tonihartill.felt.co.nz
International shipping additional.
Please inquire for price and policy
and to purchase.
UPDATE: SOLD OUT!
Note: There are likely to still be delays
UPDATE: SOLD OUT!
Note: There are likely to still be delays
in shipping internationally.
So, if you'd like a wee memento of our Covid-19NZ experience
please contact me directly if you are interested in purchasing a print.
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| Toni Hartill |
So, if you'd like a wee memento of our Covid-19NZ experience
please contact me directly if you are interested in purchasing a print.
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| Toni Hartill |
Prints will be packed in a cellophane sleeve*, backed with card,
and wrapped with recycled cardboard to protect the print while in transit.
*Why a cellophane sleeve?
This protects the print from moisture and finger prints and means the print can be displayed and enjoyed until / instead of having it framed.
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| Toni Hartill |
The making of
Click on an image: it will enlarge on your screen and
you can then scroll through all of the images.
Or just continue scrolling here.
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| Toni Hartill |
The progression of carving the lino
The quality of the pics in this video are not great - I snapped the pics at the end of each carving session as a record of WIP (work in progress) so the lighting is pretty dodgy I'm afraid.I chose to mix a dark, warm, mossy ink colour for this print,
so although it can appear black in the print, look closely, it's not quite.
(I actually seldom use a straight black ink.)
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| Toni Hartill |
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| Toni Hartill |
This was such fun to work on.
Its the first lino cutting I've done since last year as I've been fully immersed in learning to etch aluminium with copper sulphate. I've discovered a deep love for both techniques, which couldn't be more different, but I do so LOVE to carve lino, as this has reminded me. I have some new challenges set for myself to "up my game" so stay tuned.
I look forward to receiving the exchanged prints from the other artists in the group and I will share them in a new blog once they all arrive later in the year.
Many thanks to Celia Walker for organizing this welcomed diversion.
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| A delighted "Snaily" - sidekick of Toni Hartill |
Snaily was certainly chuffed to feature!
Thanks for visiting!
