With Ruth in Mind Prints by members of Print Council Aotearoa New Zealand (PCANZ)

Ruth Davey (1923-2023) was the godmother of printmaking at the Waikato Society of Arts, introducing the practice to the WSA Art School in the 1970s. A dedicated teacher and prolific artist, she went on to represent printmaking in the Waikato. She exhibited widely and many of her prints are now held by Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum and Gallery.

Ruth was also a charter member of PCANZ when it was established in 2000 (as Central Print Council, or CPCANZ). Many Print Council members remember working alongside Ruth during the council’s first two decades of summer schools and winter workshops. They recall especially her eagerness to learn new techniques even after her many years of creating and exhibiting prints. She was inspirational in her joy and enthusiasm for making and mentoring.

For this exhibition, PCANZ members were invited to submit work inspired by Ruth’s prints. Some of the artists represented here knew Ruth and her work personally. Others came to the task through looking at her prints at Waikato Museum, where they are always available to see online, or in person at Artspost, where the remainder of Ruth’s prints are for sale.

All proceeds from the sale of Ruth’s art goes toward the Ruth Davey Merit in Printmaking prize which is given annually at the New Zealand Painting and Printmaking Awards.

This exhibitions runs from July 8 to August 11 at Artspost.

Join us for the opening afternoon on July 12th at 1pm!