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What is the difference between silk, calico and paper printing?
The main difference is the materials printed on, therefore the techniques vary . They require different dyes, binders and the process of fixing.
Silk is a natural material requiring natural dyes that are cooked in the lab combined with a seaweed water based thickener. The dye formula is water so it enters the fibres and is fixed by steaming or using soda ash.
Calico is a thicker fibre so requires ink that sits on top of the fibre. Using dyes mixed with different types of binders for different effect. This style has more of a painted effect. It is fixed on the fabric through heating with an iron or industrial fixing machine.
Paper printing is similar to calico, using dyes with a binding agent that is used to sit on top of the surface. For paper there are 2 types of inks that can be used, water ink has a thinner softer effect or oil based inks which are thicker and stand out more.
Process
screen printing
Screen Printing is a traditional process of transferring designs and creative ideas onto fabric, paper and garments. Using screens that are a medium between you and the surface as well as using different types of inks based on the quality of the surface you are printing on.
Experimental screen printing which is what I do, is an abstract way of using the linear method of screen printing
Combining the traditional methods of screen printing with self-developed unconventional techniques and natural colour pigments from various parts of the world.
Expanding into new creative ways of producing screen prints that have a unique mark and are 100% original. Creating works that cannot be replicated.
More About
Motivations
My pillars of motivation:
I create to overcome barriers with language; I work with screen printing as my vocabulary to weave questions and answers of life into my art. Inviting in the curiosity that there is something I don’t know.
Art is my manifesto to have a meaningful relationship with life
To question truth and illusion
Explore the tension between contradictions to find harmonies and commonalities
Exploring the common thread and how this perspective changes a relationship with the liminal space
Seeing subjectivity as a window into an objective perspective
Seeing the dynamics between the observer and the observed.
Complimenting contrasts
Materially and conceptually exploring juxtaposing intricate layers
Questioning what lies behind the surface of what we can see, what is concealed and what is revealing itself.
Conceptually relating to the question of destiny, free will and choice.
Aligning my process with the symbiotic relationship between the internal and external reality, delving deeper into bringing these two elements into balance.
Respecting the art of textiles, their important and rich exchange in dialogue they pass on and teach us
