BLOCKPRINTING

I use a direct hand block-printing method which has evolved on the Asian subcontinent over many centuries. Together with resist and discharge processes, hand block textile printing activity continues to thrive there despite competition from the screen, rotary and other modern textile printing which dominate the global textile industry.

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On top of a mobile trolley, a tray carries a pad coated with print paste. This accompanies the printer working their way down the print table, who will charge the hand carved wooden block with paste, then register and impress it onto the cloth, using a mallet. Blocks are carved in Japanese Shina plywood, then mounted onto thicker birch ply.  Most of my designs are printed on linen using two blocks, their impressions overlapping to produce a third colour. ​