Annapolis Valley artist Julie Rosvall skillfully combines handmade textiles and printmaking in her compelling new exhibition. Contexture shows the beginnings of Rosvall’s experiments in transferring textiles to paper, including her first soft ground etching, and the progress she has made through her most recent works created in 2016. The title plays on the texture of her pieces, and the definition of the word, “linked together to form a connected whole”. Contexture is on view in the Corridor Gallery September 2 – 29, 2016.

Describing the process behind work on view, Rosvall explains:

I have always had an interest in mark making on paper, and for many years envisioned using textiles to emboss paper.  After seeing the work of printmaker Betty Goodwin in 2010 I was inspired to explore soft ground etchings with my knitted swatches. Through my explorations I have begun creating a body of work that uses a variety of printmaking techniques to transfer my knitted swatches to paper. I have experimented with paper lithography, solar plate etching and combining engraving and etching with my soft ground knitted samples.  

Through collagraphs, and soft ground etchings I have had the most success.  I begin by choosing a knitting pattern that has an openwork design. The prepared plate with the knitted sample on top is put under pressure through the press, creating an impression in the soft ground.  The plate is etched in a ferric chloride solution, anywhere that the impression of the knitting was made is etched, creating lines where the ink will hold when printing.  For collagraphs I either attach the knitted swatch to mat board, or simply ink the swatch directly and print.  

Born in New Brunswick, Rosvall moved to Nova Scotia in 1998, settling in Wolfville.  It was then that she began her career as a textile artist, moving from weaving to spinning and finally to knitting.  In 2010 she began experimenting with printmaking, exploring the concept of transferring the patterns and textures of textiles to other media.

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Located inside the Visual Arts Nova Scotia office at the Halifax Seaport since 2000, the Corridor Gallery is complimented by a historical legacy of Nova Scotia culture, simple yet modern architectural elements and an array of current cultural activity in the Cultural Federations of Nova Scotia office. The Corridor Gallery is located at 1113 Marginal Road, Halifax, Nova Scotia and is open Monday through Friday, 9:30am-5pm.

Visual Arts Nova Scotia advances the visual arts through leadership, education, and communication.

High resolution image for press available via Dropbox.

For further information regarding the exhibition contact:

Carri MacKay
Programming Coordinator
902.423.4694 | 1.866.225.8267 | f: 902.422.0881
vans@visualarts.ns.ca | www.visualarts.ns.ca