This August, Artist Proof Studio will present at the KZN Art Fair for the first time. After the success of 35 Years of Artist Proof Studio: A Legacy in Printmaking at KZNSA Gallery, the studio returns to Durban with a new presentation for the KZN Art Fair.
The KZN Art Fair curation brings together archive prints, newly released editions and recent collaborations spanning thirty-five years. Some works return from the APS archive after years out of public view, while others will be shown for the first time. Together, they trace the relationships between artists and printers that continue to shape printmaking at Artist Proof Studio.
When One Technique Isn't Enough
Every artist arrives at Artist Proof Studio with a different way of working, and every project presents its own technical questions. Some works are developed through the precision of a single technique, while others require multiple printmaking processes brought together over weeks of testing and refinement.
Sizwe Khoza's work is one example. Built up through multiple printmaking techniques and layers, the edition combines scale, colour and texture in a way that required each element to be developed individually before coming together as a finished work. Rather than following a single process from start to finish, the work evolved through testing, proofing and continual refinement in the studio.
This is where Artist Proof Studio's printers play an essential role. Working alongside the artist, they solve technical challenges, experiment with materials and help translate an idea into an edition that remains true to the original vision. The result is not simply a reproduction of an artwork, but a collaborative printmaking process that expands what the medium can achieve.
Bambo Sibiya's work takes a different approach. Combining linocut with embossing, the work shows how subtle shifts in surface and texture can add another dimension to a print. Although the techniques differ, both works reflect the collaborative relationship between artist and printer that sits at the centre of every ProShop edition.
The Master Printers Behind the Editions
Behind every ProShop edition is a team of printers whose knowledge has been built over years of practice, experimentation and collaboration. Their role extends beyond producing an edition. They understand the technical language of printmaking, advice on processes, solve complex production challenges and work alongside artists to translate ideas into print.
The master printers are supported by a team of printing assistants who contribute to every stage of the editioning process. Each printer brings specialist knowledge of different techniques, from etching, lithography and linocut to screenprinting, monotype, paper pulp and embossing. While grounded in traditional printmaking methods, they continually test new combinations of techniques and materials to meet the demands of contemporary artists. The result is a studio where innovation grows from a deep understanding of the craft, rather than replacing it.
Over the years, ProShop has worked with established South African artists, international collaborators and generations of APS alumni. Every project is different. Some artists arrive with a clear technical approach, while others bring an idea that has yet to find its process. In both cases, the printers become trusted collaborators, sharing their knowledge and experience to help realise each artist's vision while maintaining the integrity of the printmaking process.
