Join us at MOCA for an in-person, drop-in relief printmaking workshop, inspired by the artistic practice of Alexa Hatanaka. Relief printmaking is the process of cutting or etching onto a printing surface. Once the surface is inked and paper is laid on top, the non-cut areas will leave ink on the paper, while the cut areas will not. The process of etching and printing will take approximately 20-mins, with an estimated 15-mis required for drying time.
This in-person programme is inspired by our virtual workshop led by Hatanaka. More details regarding the virtual workshop can be found here. Hatanaka engages with traditional Japanese printmaking processes and techniques. This drop-in workshop will allow visitors to explore the basics of relief printmaking through the use of accessible and child-friendly materials including acrylic paint, scratch-foam board, canvas panels, and brayers. All materials will be provided free of charge for the activity. The programme is suited for all ages with parental supervision required.
Every participant is encouraged and welcome to take their artwork home with them, and before or after the programme, you are welcome to explore Hatanaka’s works that are part of MOCA’s exhibition, Greater Toronto Art 2021.
To comply with government regulations in place at the time of the programme, there will be limited capacity and seating, which may lead to short wait times. Social distancing in the activity space is required, and registration for contact tracing will take place on-site. Masks or face shields must be worn by all participants and children over the age of two, during the programme and within the Museum at all times.
Proof of vaccination is not currently required for this programme, as per regulations set out by the Ontario government. However, proof of vaccination will be required for all in-person programming taking place from October 22, 2021 onward.
About the Artist
Alexa Hatanaka is a visual artist working primarily in relief printmaking, textile and paper. She engages in time-intensive, historic processes that support her thinking around community-building, environment, and persisting and honouring evolving cultural practices, such as papermaking and kamiko, the Japanese practice of sewing garments out of konnyaku starch-strengthened washi (paper). Hatanaka draws upon her Japanese-Canadian heritage in the scope and spirit of craft heirlooms, solidarity, individual and communal grit, cultural hybridity, and social justice. She creates public artwork, installations and performance work with community, collaboratively, and engaging youth which includes her work as founding member of Kinngait, Nunavut-based collective Kinngarni Katujjiqatigiit (2019-ongoing) and Embassy of Imagination (2014-2020). Hatanaka has exhibited at the Guanlan International Printmaking Base (Shenzen, China), The Art Gallery of Ontario, Canada House (London, UK), the Toronto Biennial of Art, the British Museum (London, UK) and NADA House Art Fair (New York). She is represented by Patel Brown Gallery in Toronto.
