Relief printing as a reflection of traditional indigenous carving

As a part of my artist residency at Sheldon Jackson Museum, I was invited to do a couple artist talks. As I’ve continued my relief printing practice, I’ve felt a correlation between relief carved prints and more traditional indigenous carving practices. The connection was brought to the front of my mind after attending Pacific Northwest Aleut Council’s culture camp last year where I took part in a mask carving class. I loved the class, carving masks, and also recognized a connection in the carving to what I was already doing as a relief printmaker. Even the tools were the exact same as the ones I used at home for carving relief print blocks.

For my talk, I delved into that connection and how indigenous artists have incorporated new mediums and materials into artistic practice as trade and availability bring them in. I also take a look back at the origins of relief printing and how it’s a truly ancient method of art-making. Watch it above!