Printapalooza 6 - Te Kowhai Print Trust

28/10/23 - 28/10/23

NZ’s Largest Road Roller Printing Event is back! Mark your calendars and prepare for an unforgettable day of printmaking, featuring over 20 skilled artists rolling out giant woodblock prints by road roller.

Printapalooza is a large-scale printing event held at Hihiaua Cultural centre, where artists come together to print massive woodblocks – some have even been more than 2 metres long! The day is open for the community to come and watch the craft unfold – from inking, to driving over the prints on a road roller – to the final pull.

It’s a huge day (in every way!) and a great way to learn more about printmaking, the artists involved, and our very own Te Kowhai Print Trust. It’s free for the public to come and watch – every print is different so there is always something for everyone.

This years theme is The Bestiary – A company of creatures – mythical and of the world.

A bestiary, in the context of medieval manuscripts, was a fascinating and imaginative compendium of beasts and creatures from both the real and mythical realms. These illuminated manuscripts, often created between the 12th and 16th centuries, served as both educational and moralistic texts. Bestiaries featured vivid illustrations and descriptions of animals, birds, and fantastical beasts, accompanied by allegorical interpretations. These enchanting volumes played a pivotal role in the evolution of printmaking during the Renaissance and beyond.