Intaglio Printmaker Prize Winner: Miriam Vickers

Tell us about the inspiration behind this print.

The inspiration for this etching comes from an on site sketchbook drawing on a visit to the Orkney Isles in September 2022 during the Orkney International Science Festival while staying in Stromness.

What made you get into printmaking?

In 2011 it was announced in Society of Scottish Artists a printmaking exchange exhibition was being organised in Wroclaw, Poland at Eugeniusz Geppert Academy of Art and Design. Having been drawing and painting professionally since 1994, the opportunity to exhibit in Poland had a strong appeal, not least because there was a family link which involved tragedy that drew me to the project. I was encouraged by a fellow Patriothall artist to try etching, given my formal inclinations. Bronwen Sleigh taught me in formal classes and through informal advice over a period of months while I worked steadily at my etching for more than 6 months for the Wroclaw exhibition.  The initial process and then 2 plate etching, which I was instructed on, were both challenging and rewarding and aquatint had a particular attraction which I have continued to experiment with. The move from Union St. to Castlemills has been ultimately beneficial to my etching practice and I have pursued a lockdown project of 9 A5 plates from lockdown drawings and currently the Orkney project which, when complete, will comprise 4 two plate etchings with hard ground, soft ground and aquatint and colours which use prussian blue, carmine and raw sienna.

What is your ultimate Intaglio wish list?

1. To exhibit all 9 of the lockdown etchings together along with a coptic stitched artists book;

2. An exhibition of the envisaged 4 Orkney etchings which are close to A3 size unframed.

If you could own 1 artwork, what would it be?

Assuming this refers to printmaking, I have acquired a few printmaking monographs which include Kathe Kollwitz prints and drawings. ‘The Weavers’ which is an etching. I would choose it for its powerful composition and mark making as well as its immediate subject matter.