Exhibition celebrating letterpress printmaking to be showcased at Cork museum 

Cork Printmakers is holding an exhibition of new artworks celebrating letterpress printmaking at Cork Public Museum.

The exhibition, entitled ‘Movable Type’, features original artworks in letterpress by 24 artists from Cork Printmakers and MTU Crawford College of Art and Design.

It is described as a celebration of letterpress printmaking as an historic printing process and its potential to be incorporated into contemporary artistic practices.

The artworks utilise a collection of letterpress originally from Coleman’s Printers that was donated by Cork Public Museum to Cork Printmakers and MTU Crawford in 2021 where it has been refurbished and rehoused for use by contemporary print artists and as a tool for active learning for researchers, communities, and artists at all stages of their careers.

Director of Cork Public Museum Dan Breen said the museum is delighted to be working with Cork Printmakers to create this exhibition.

“This collaborative project highlights the importance of finding new and innovative ways to re-utilise some of the historical collections that often languish unloved in museum storerooms.

“Now the legacy of Coleman’s Printers will survive through the future work done at Cork Printmakers and MTU Crawford College of Art and Design.”

Director of Cork Printmakers Peter Mc Morris said: “This letterpress project and collaboration between Cork Public Museum, Cork Printmakers, and Crawford College is a true example of the far-reaching benefits of collaboration.

“From restoring the type to engaging in intensive training in letterpress printing through to the making and exhibiting of artworks,” Mr Mc Morris said.

“We also acknowledge the importance of the three organisations within Cork’s rich art, cultural, and printing heritage.”

The exhibition opens from Tuesday to Friday from 10am to 4pm and on Saturday from 11am to 4pm.