Prints Charming
June 30, 2014
Ouseburn Festival
After almost 20 years and still going strong, Ouseburn Festival returns to Newcastle on July 5th & 6th. As ever, this annual event has plenty to keep everyone entertained both young and old.
Visitors to Toffee Factory are in for a treat this year as we’ve teamed up with local artist and printmaker Louise Bradley, who will be displaying ‘Ragwort, Spurge and Vetch’, an exhibition of screen prints that are a visual response to the wild plants growing in the Ouseburn Valley as part of the International Print Biennale 2014.
The location couldn’t be more apt for this display, which Louise will also be exhibiting at the Customs House in South Shields and as part of ‘Outside Ink’ at 36 Lime Street.
“Basing screen prints on the weeds and wild flowers growing around the Ouseburn, I’ve been studying the plants which have bloomed during the early and late spring. Contemplating the idea of wanted and unwanted plants, I’ve tried to make some kind of visual order from the colourful abundant chaos of the wild meadows, roadsides and paths. I’m also delighted to be exhibiting at Toffee Factory, a few minutes’ walk from my studio and a friendly, creative and supportive hub and am looking forward to working with them over the Ouseburn Festival weekend.”
As well as the exhibition there will also be the chance to get more hands on with a print workshop on the Sunday. So be sure to visit as many venues as possible: there’s much to delight over the weekend and the beauty is that all of the venues are so close together (not to mention some canny pubs on the doorstep). Just around the corner will be the Grazer Market on Sunday 6th with food stalls aplenty to energise you as you hotfoot it around the valley. And don’t even think of missing The Cluny’s now infamous Rubber Duck Race…
Exhibition opening hours – Thursday 3rd July – Sunday 6th July inclusive, Thursday, Friday, Saturday 10 -5 and Sunday 12 – 4
Workshop (Sunday only) – Print your own wrapping paper with a repeat pattern inspired by the Ouseburn’s wild plant shapes. 12-4pm, free family activity (children must be accompanied by an adult).
“Toffee Factory has a fantastic reputation for events and community, resulting in quite a lot of pride when telling people where I'm based!”
Matt Shaw – Director of Pixel House Media
