Sea of spirit, from the portfolio Boundless and borderless

Sydney Printmakers was established in 1961 at a time of printmaking resurgence in Australia, to act as a forum for the promotion and exhibition of prints in Sydney and as an advocate for the place of printmaking within art and contemporary practice at a time of widespread indifference and ignorance. It has made a significant and enduring contribution to the history of printmaking in Australia and particularly in Sydney for more than 50 years.

In 2011 a group from Toronto's Open Studio Printmaking Centre, Canada and Sydney Printmakers, Australia attended IMPACT 7, an International Print Conference at Monash University Melbourne. An appreciation of their respective approaches led to the idea of a print portfolio exchange and exhibitions in both countries, with the title and theme of 'Boundless and Borderless'.

The folio is made up of 44 prints, 22 each from Canada and Australia. Each artist provided 50 prints: 44 numbered and 6 artist proofs. Each of the contributing artists received a complete folio of prints. Open Studio Printmaking Centre, Toronto and Sydney Printmakers, Australia each retained three folios of artist proofs.

An information sheet included in the print portfolio states:
'Canada and Australia have similar histories of settlement and colonization. The landscape looms large in both imaginations, as does the spirit of the explorer and adventurer. Each artist in this 'Boundless and Borderless' portfolio has viewed the theme from their own perspective conjuring up personal experiences and interpreting their ideas with a variety of printmaking techniques'. The catalogue leaflet provides a list of works with accompanying artist statements.