We are excited to host the 20:20 print exchange exhibition at our WYPW @The Piazza space in Huddersfield. 20:20 is run and co-ordinated by Hot Bed Press in Salford. Each year between 500 and 600 artists from print workshops, print collectives and university print departments exchange prints through The 20:20 Print Exchange. Each artist produces 25 prints. The prints are then collected, sorted and randomly selected and boxed up back to participating artists so they get an ‘exchange’ of prints from the UK and around the world. Each year the whole print exchange goes on to tour nationally/internationally, hosted by print workshops or galleries connected to print workshops. The print numbered 1/25 from each edition is removed during the initial sort, and it is these prints which form the exhibition, showcasing the complete collection each year. Exhibiting the tour works a little like Pass the Parcel, in that each exhibiting studio will pack everything up and send the whole package on to the next venue. It’s great to see the huge array of prints, styles, methods and subject and it gives a great insight into the diverse range of printmaking going on and regional and national styles and even trends.
The exhibition started its journey at Hot Bed Press in Salford. The complete collection will then be exhibited at four different venues throughout 2024.
The first was Northern Print in Newcastle, then Hazlehurst Print Studios in Cheshire. It will be joining us here at, West Yorkshire Print Workshop in Huddersfield from 13th July until 25th August and will go on to the final stop, Taigh Chearsabhagh Museum & Arts Centre in Scotland, on the Isle of North Uist.
It works a little like passing the parcel, in that each exhibiting studio will pack everything up and send the whole package on to the next venue – if all goes well (excluding wars and Covid) Hot Bed Press will only be in possession of the print collection at the beginning and at the end of the exchange year.
With a grand total of 16,100 prints submitted, by 644 artists and exchanged with 44 print groups and workshops, this has been the largest exchange yet.
Take a look below to see a visualisation of the print methods used as part of this exchange.
The exhibition is showcasing in Huddersfield between 13th July and the 25th August and then a ‘mini’ 20:20 exhibition by young people produced through workshops in the summer holidays will be on show on 29th, 30th and 31st August.
Address: WYPW on the Piazza Huddersfield 42-44 Princess Alexandra Walk, Huddersfield, HD1 2RS
Exhibition opening times:
13th July- 25th August (Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays 10:30-3:30pm)
Free entry
Mini 20:20 29th, 30th and 31st August 10:30-3:30pm
