Alan Birch has been working on a topical series of saints during the Pandemic. Inspired by Catholic media saints often seen in churches, the saints reflect recent global events. The massive effect on peoples behaviour, health and has a been used to create these saints. The saints started with St Coronus and document the developments […]
With the world under lockdown and facing an uncertain future, I have been requested to resurrect the Later-Day Saint series to reflect current issues. Saint Coronus has materialised in print and gives us hope whilst illustrating through symbols, the concerns and priorities of society. Never before have toilet rolls, pasta, Dolmio, and hand sanitiser occupied […]
Really please and amused to see my portrait amongst great figures from the art world on worksheets at Marple Hall High School. Pupils chose a figure to illustrate prior to my visit for a series of workshops. Maybe I should grow a Dali moustache. Some great prints were produced and the pupils and staff were […]
Alan Birch with all year 10 pupils at Marple Hall High School in February and March, producing excellent prints. Over 120 pupils worked tirelessly with Alan, producing a wonderful collection of prints inspired by animals and birds. Some pupils used college and relief printing to embellish their work. The prints will be used to enhance […]
Students from Manchester University spent the afternoon printing with artist Alan Birch. The international students took the work of Grayson Perry as their inspiration, looking at his etchings in the Whitworth , Manchester. Artists created drawings from his prints and later engraved their own creations , using a portable press to print them. ” The […]
Members of the Hand Made art group at the Whitworth, were inspired by the etching ” Maps of Nowhere” by Grayson Perry to produce their own medical map of the United Kingdom. Printers used images in the pint ( currently on display at the Whitworth ) or images from a range of news stories and […]
Photography students from Cardinal Newman College in Preston spent 2 days working with printmaker Alan Birch in January. The students produced some excellent engravings on perspex , and made full use of chine college and other printmaking techniques. Over 60 students took part in the workshops and the quality of the work was excellent. ” […]
Several members of Prospect Printmakers were selected for the Manchester Open at Home. Neil Robinson, Claire Groves, Sadie and Simon Rogerson all had print chosen and Jo Beggs was shortlisted for an award for her etchings of buildings. This was the first open success for many artists and some artists have sold their works. Lets […]
Year 2 pupils from St Kentigerns School , spent a creative day at the Whitworth Gallery in Manchester. Their day included working from the works in the art gallery and working with printmaker Alan Birch. Alan showed the pupils his work and demonstrated the many forms of printing, Pupils then went to look at the […]
Teachers from Greater Manchester and beyond spent a creative evening after school at the Whitworth creating a range of prints. Referencing the exhibition of works by Cezanne and the works in the wallpaper gallery artists worked on relief prints, engravings and collages. Working with Alan Birch, artists were shown his work and were given many […]
Year 3 and 4 pupils from St Paul’s Primary School in Rawtenstall explored the natural history collection of the Whittaker in Rawtenstall to produce wonderful drawings and engravings over 2 days. The works will be used on their school topic of Charles Darwin. In the afternoon relief prints were produced using the work of William […]
Graphic students from Cardinal Newman College in Preston were introduced to the world of print by artist Alan Birch in January. Over 60 students took part in the workshops really pushing the limits of printmaking, engraving, collaging, cutting and overprinting to produce over 350 prints. The work produced was excellent and certainly maintained the creative […]
Year 10 pupils from Marsden Heights Community College in Nelson spent the day working with printer Alan Birch, producing prints to enhance their GCSE coursework. A large variety of prints were produced by 2 classes during the day working on themes of natural forms, sweets and artists work. Tonal engravings, relief prints and the occasional mixed […]
Alan Birch spent a few days inking up the etching plates of artist Dave Pearson in Valley Studios. Using their large printing press Alan was able to print the large plates on Fabriano paper. The prints printed for the Dave Pearson Trust in Haslingden will be exhibited around the country and some have already found […]
Visitors to the Whittaker in Rawtenstall were able to create their own Christmas cards during a workshop with printmaker Alan Birch. A very creative afternoon resulted in some excellent cards being produced. Imagery ranged from traditional images such as candles, with other prints featuring more contemporary themes such as MP Jeremy Hunt. Techniques such as […]