Formed Impressions

Exhibition text by Brody McQueen:

Formed Impressions is a celebration of the work of artists currently at the University of Manitoba’s School of Art. This exhibition serves to showcase students’ dedication and growth while also highlighting their ingenuity and boundless enthusiasm to create. Curated by students, this show articulates a spectrum of interpretations regarding printmaking and underscores the distinct voices of each artist while working cohesively as an exhibition.

In its role as both a celebration and a critical inquiry into the practice of printmaking, Formed Impressions showcases the diligence, technical skill and the creative spirit inherent in the University of Manitoba’s student printmakers. This exhibition not only recognizes their contributions to the local art community but also serves as a testament to their unwavering passion for the traditions and potential experiments of printmaking.

Artworks featured in Formed Impressions were thoughtfully selected by a jury composed of members of the School of Art faculty and its student body. Artworks were carefully chosen and considered with technical skill, conceptual depth and overall impact in mind. The exhibition as a whole is meant to represent the School of Art printmaking community and connect students with the wider printmaking community in Winnipeg. The exhibition features students from a diverse range of backgrounds, years of study and specialties in printmaking. This diversity fosters a collective appreciation of student achievement while reinforcing a sense of unity through the surprising similarities found in various printmaking approaches.

Formed Impressions not only brings together a collection of student work, but also strengthens the student printmaking community by creating connections and opportunities for students to cross paths and collaborate. The exhibit also addresses the need to be engaged in the printmaking community by providing a platform for students to share their work, engage in dialogue, and extend their voices into the public sphere. Formed Impressions creates a bridge between students’ artistic practice and the broader public, offering a rare insight into the dynamic and evolving world of printmaking at the University of Manitoba.