An Introduction to the Exposure Edition

by Blake Sanders, Graphic Impressions Coordinator

Allow me to throw some light on how this Exposure issue came to be.

Graphic Impressions has always welcomed submissions of ideas for articles, reviews, shows, demos, etc. from SGCI members. See for yourself, there’s links for proposals at the top and bottom of every GI page! Even so, submissions are hard to come by. Much of my job as Coordinator involves recruiting participants and drumming up content. I get it. Life is busy, making prints is time consuming, there’s infinity other content platforms to partake in and contribute to, I’m just happy you’re here! Still, when I do get a volunteer I’m ecstatic!

Enter Elizabeth Heald. I was forwarded her proposal sometime after she’d initially submitted it, deep into the production for the November edition. Her article on exposure unit technology filled a niche I’ve been aware needed filling for some time. I tend to care a lot more about the “why” than the “how” a print got made, so I’m glad when someone is ready to tackle the technical nuts and bolts. Elizabeth shares her research in “Exposing the Future of Printmaking”.

Expose, and all of its permutations, is such an evocative word it was easy to see building an issue around it. The development of the K-12 curriculum workshops made this a good time to highlight teachers exposing their students to printmaking outside Academia. After reaching out to many very busy teachers, we have three inspiring artist educators in the Early Exposure exhibition.

For this issue’s interview I was torn. Do I highlight someone who exposes an issue? Someone who opens the aperture to burn through those dodging accountability (maybe too many photo allusions)? Maybe next time. Should it be an artist who has been working in obscurity and is need of a big spotlight? The Into the Wild feature, which specializes in these sorts of artists, will return soon. Instead I chose an artist who has metaphorically bared all. He exposes his audience online to his inner pain, perplexity, and poetry through weekly webcomics, and in person with community centered riso and zine making workshops, an easy connection to the exhibition. Get to know Andrew Kozlowski in this “Exposed” interview.

There’s so much more to explore with this theme. The screens are prepped for future Exposure editions. Have an idea to contribute? See the submission form below!