Exhibitions

MABLE NI + IVY MANSKA: LITHOMANIA

Gallery 1010 (UTK) / 100 S. Gay St., Suite 114 November 7 - 8th (Reception: November 7 5:00pm - 9:00pm)

Mable Ni, Ivy Manska

Lithography is a planographic printmaking process that involves drawing with a grease pencil onto a flat surface such as limestone or a metal plate. Through a chemical process, the matrix remembers the image that is drawn with grease. The image which contains the grease content will be receptive to ink and the non-image areas are receptive to water. The printing process works based on the fact that water and oil do not mix.

Lithomania begins with two printmaking graduate students and their love for the lithographic process. They attempt to collaborate and help each other print one stone each week. The printing process requires a steady movement of rolling up the stone with ink and making sure that the stone is constantly wet by sponging and wiping the stone with water. Lithography is a process that can be done alone but it is an activity that thrives through collaboration and partnership. Assisting one another allows for the labor intensive printing session to be faster and it also creates a bonding experience in which the participants become more in tune with each other.

The works in this exhibition use lithographs as a foundation to tell personal stories. Drawing inspiration from our environments, we observe, reflect, and capture meaningful moments as they unfold around us, specifically taking moments from noticing the landscape while driving and cooking. Through drawing, printing, and collaging, we transform these observations into visual narratives, each piece offering a window into our lived experiences.