Jon Campbell: Responsibility

Q: What were some of the foundation ideas for this exhibition project?

A: With this exhibition Responsibility I was looking to highlight print works made in collaboration with my friends, Stewart Russell (Spacecraft Studios), Adrian Kellett (Sunshine Editions) Trent Walter (Negative Press) and Aaron Beehre (Ilam Press, NZ) to show the variety of printing techniques that I have engaged with over the years.

Q: How did the artwork selection take place?

A: I wanted to show examples from each print collaboration highlighting the range of materials and mediums, to include prints made over a lengthy period, from figurative linocuts hand-printed by me in the late 1980s and early ’90s to recent text-based lithographs with Sunshine Editions.

Q: How does the exhibition manifest – what do visitors experience?

A: The exhibition is conceived of framed lithograph prints, an artist book of risograph prints, a screenprinted banner and screenprinted T-shirts on a rack. The idea was to not just present works framed and hung on the wall: I wanted to highlight the use of scale and placement, giving the prints in several instances a more sculptural feel. One work is leaning propped up on paint cans. One work hangs within its own free-standing wall painting.

Q: What are some of the key works and what subject matter do they deal with?

A: Key works include the large nine-panel lithograph Responsibility, and as I wrote of it at the time of production, I am always on the lookout for relevant words and sayings to add to my collection with the possibility of one day becoming artworks. Some words tend to become more urgent at certain times. Responsibility made its presence felt in a major way during the COVID-19 pandemic. I could not avoid it. As many political leaders ducked and weaved around who was responsible for various decisions it also made me reflect on my own responsibilities. I am always frustrated at people’s lack of responsibility; it is mostly a situation of denial rather than accepting. This continues to be a problem.

Another key work is No Planet B, my artist book of 15 removeable risograph prints responding to the Black Summer bushfires, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the climate emergency unfolding before us.

Q: What is it about the printmaking experience that you most appreciate?

A: I like the collaborative nature of printmaking; we all bring our skills and ideas to the table and together we make the decisions. It is always exciting when the print is revealed on the press and then sometimes editioned for wider distribution allowing the pricing to stay reasonable. While I use subject matter that also features in my paintings and drawings, printing allows for new variations and approaches to the same subject matter. It expands the reach and interpretation of each idea.

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Responsibility is at the Print Council of Australia Gallery, Studio 2, Guild, 152 Sturt Street, Southbank, Victoria, until 30 May. Opening 15 May 5-7pm. www.printcouncil.org.au