About Space-Age Editions
Space-Age Editions is a Fine art contemporary printing press created and run by Matthew Willie Garcia. The prints published by Space-Age Editions are made utilizing the mokuhanga, traditional Japanese woodblock printing, and Screen Printing technique. Garcia is drawn to these traditional printmaking techniques because of their handmade qualities and it bold graphic aesthetics.
Mokuhanga literally means 'woodblock print' in Japanese (木 Moku = wood, 版 Han = Edition, and 画 Ga = Picture). Mokuhanga is a traditional Japanese water-based printmaking method that emerged in 17th century Japan. This technique was used commercially throughout Japan to create artworks that was accessible to all.
Traditionally mokuhanga was a collaborative process between the Artist, Carver, Printer and Publisher. Each of these individuals played a crucial role in the creation and distribution of the work, however most of these works are only attributed to the artist.
Contemporary mokuhanga artist now take on every step of the process. The techniques ease of accessibility and its environmentally friendly nature has made the technique flourish throughout the international print community.
mokuhanga
Screen Printing
Screen printing, also referred to as silk-screening or serigraphy, involves the application of ink through a fine mesh screen onto a chosen surface. The process employs a variety of stencils to block out specific areas of the screen, rendering these areas resistant to ink while allowing ink to pass through the open areas. These open areas create a positive printing area and comprise the image that will be printed.
Matthew Willie Garcia
Garcia, originally from California, now resides and works in Kansas City, MO, and Lawrence, KS. He holds a B.F.A. in Printmaking from the Kansas City Art Institute and an M.F.A. from the University of Kansas. Over the last four years, Garcia has been dedicated to mastering the mokuhanga technique, studying with practitioners in the United States and Japan.