Printwork prestige for student artist, Jack

A student artist at Walsall College has seen his work travel from one exhibition in Walsall to another 690 miles away in northwest Poland.

Jack Tucker’s printwork, which was inspired by a trip to Southerndown Beach in Wales, first featured in the college’s end of year art show held in Walsall’s Saddlers Centre.  It has now appeared in a printwork exhibition curated by the Art Academy of Szczecin.

The exhibition, Biennale Grafiki is an annual event to honour the creative efforts of student artists and their teachers.  Walsall College was the only international college whose artist’s work was featured alongside the 284 works submitted by 13 schools in Poland.

Level 3 student, Jack says he was initially ‘caught off guard’ by the news that his art would be on display in Poland.

“I never imagined anything like this happening when I was creating my print pieces,” he said.

“It still seems a bit unreal to have had my work included in another exhibition and its catalogue.  It is an honour, especially because I think the quality of my classmates’ work is so high.

“This is a stand out moment in the career portfolio I’ve built up so far.”

Art and Design Lecturer, Anita Zychniewicz said she was delighted by Jack’s success.

“This is a fantastic achievement for Jack that is testament to his growing talent,” she continued.

“His work stood out for Biennale Grafiki because he used a collagraphy printmaking technique where textures are attached to a plate to create a 3D effect like a collage, which can later be inked and printed.  This mirrors some of the teaching practices at the Art Academy so it matched well with their exhibits.”

She added: “We hope this appreciation for Jack’s work results in future collaborations with the Art Academy.”

After he has finished his course next summer, Jack aims to enjoy a gap year before he considers studying games art at university.

“I’d never actually practiced callography printwork before,” said Jack.  “My tutors encouraged me to experiment with it as a way broadening my style.

“I am quite a traditional digital and 3D artist at heart so it’s nice to have the opportunity to try out new things.  I know this is helping me progress.  I still have a lot to learn and this is a way to motivate me to push myself and see what else I can achieve.”

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