00:00So we're here at Ironbridge Fine Arts and Framing, got that right haven't I?
00:04Yes you have.
00:05And you're the boss, what's your name?
00:07So I'm Sarah Morris, I'm one of the directors. I work with my sister, the other director, Jenny Gunning.
00:12And fantastic exhibition you've got on here, a bit of an annual event for the place now isn't it?
00:17Yes, so this is our second year running the competition.
00:20Last year, incredible success and we had such a vibrant community of printmakers that supported and entered the competition.
00:28And this year it's doubled in size, so we received over 600 entries.
00:32Out of those we narrowed it down to 256 prints were accepted in the exhibition, which is online and in the gallery.
00:40And it's on in the gallery until?
00:43Around the 20th of November, so it's got a good 10 weeks to come and see.
00:48And the variety of work really just opens your eyes to the world of printmaking doesn't it?
00:54And with a private view on Saturday, everybody just kept saying there's such a vast range of different processes and mediums and work.
01:02And it's just incredible to see them all together.
01:05And doubling in size, was that expected? That's quite a difference isn't it?
01:10We were getting lots of attention on the lead up to it and people asking when's it coming, what's going to happen.
01:15So we thought it would gain more attention but were overwhelmed when it was doubled.
01:19Is that because there's possibly not enough focus when it comes to exhibitions and galleries on printmaking?
01:25Well from our perspective, because our father Dave Gunning built the printing presses, the etching presses,
01:32we've now got a community of printmakers that use the Gunning etching presses.
01:37And we really wanted to shout about that and really build the community and highlight all the incredible printmakers that are out there today.
01:44So this is what this spotlight's about.
01:47You mentioned your dad Dave there, so he invented a press didn't he?
01:50That people, your manufacturing like you say, they get shipped out all over the place don't they?
01:55So I guess you're in quite a unique point aren't you really, in terms of that community you've created?
02:01Exactly, and my sister Jenny, she's a printmaker herself, she's absolutely passionate about printmaking,
02:06teaches people from all over the country, well all over the world too, how to printmake.
02:11So yeah, it all supports and builds each other.
02:14So Sarah, this was the winning print, as chosen by your dad I believe?
02:19Yes, yes.
02:20Your dad Dave Gunning, well known in the world of printing, if anybody knows a good print he's the man isn't he?
02:25He is, certainly.
02:26So who have we got here, what's the artist called?
02:29So the artist is Wendy Rhodes, and it's a beautiful piece.
02:33It was chosen by Dad because he said that it really pulls you in, the texture and the line detail is just incredible.
02:41Just an emotive and expressive piece.
02:43Yeah, it is gorgeous isn't it, and it does doesn't it really, that kind of changing tone as you come through,
02:49and the path leading you through, it is quite nice.
02:52Two pieces submitted by Wendy, both got a lot of attention, but this piece in particular kind of stood out.
02:59Do you know where Wendy's from?
03:01I don't unfortunately.
03:02Don't worry.
03:03So you had the awards night and the opening night the other night, people were travelling from all over,
03:09just check out some of the places where people were travelling from?
03:11Absolutely all over, so we had Northern Ireland, we had Scotland, Devon, all over.
03:16Yeah.
03:17Absolutely incredible.
03:18And obviously these people aren't getting the bus here and getting the bus back from Devon,
03:22so they're ploughing money into the local economy aren't they, booking B&B's and so on.
03:27Exactly, yeah, we've got a page on the website that tells people where they can stay locally,
03:31and we work with some incredible local businesses.
03:33Fantastic, so it's definitely on the calendar for next year as well, to come back as well.
03:38For sure.
03:39Have you got a favourite one yourself in the exhibition?
03:42Oh, there's quite a few.
03:44Yeah, go on, pick me one of your favourites.
03:47I do love, this is one of the other prize winners, Francesca, and she's actually won an exhibition for next year.
03:57Wow.
03:58It's a beautiful piece and she had the plate laser cut to create that shape,
04:04which again is just something really exciting.
04:06And the tone and the depth that she's got in that's incredible.
04:09Great stuff.
04:10Well, thank you for inviting us down.
04:12So we're just behind Merry Fort, Teddy Bear Factory, if people know that, by the Antiques Centre,
04:17and like we say, on until November.
04:19So, thank you Sarah.
04:21Thanks so much.
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