Although she has always been artistic and creative, it was during the pandemic two years ago that Italy-based Nadia Resta discovered the world of printmaking and first tried linocut printing. “The repetitive gesture of the carving keeping the mind focused on the lines had a mindful effect,” describes the printmaker. She continues; “It was not easy at the beginning, I could only collect online information on materials and follow tutorials on youtube. Someone said that persistence guarantees that results are inevitable: it took almost one year but then I finally found my workflow.”
Nadia starts all of her projects by sketching rough ideas in her sketchbook. She then draws on her iPad the full composition, prints the drawing, and transfers the image on a linoblock ready to start carving. She uses Italian Fabriano Rosaspina paper for her prints, or sometimes handmade papers purchased from local art supply stores or from small online businesses. Nadia hand prints all of her works in an old-school style, using a baren and spoon.
“I love how this technique gives me the balance between a digital design process and artisan handcraft touch. The world today wants you to go fast and create new things on an unhealthy pace, printmaking goes against the system: you can’t run things or you mess up hours and hours of work. It takes patience, such a precious and rare attitude nowadays.”
Nadia’s prints often reflect her own personal experiences; her childhood spent in the countryside of South Italy, her travels, and small things she likes. Asia, in particular, also shapes and hugely influences her aesthetic. After completing a BA in Hindi and Chinese language and culture, (including Indian and Chinese art history) Nadia lived in China for 2 years, and travelled through India and south east Asia at every given opportunity.
“Asia is full of printing techniques: batik in Indonesia, Japanese traditional prints, Indian wood blocks…I feel even more connected to that world and almost all my projects are an homage to those cultures.”
Her next project is a 3 print composition inspired by Bharatnatyam; the traditional classic dance in India. Nadia is currently working on a DIY registering device to make this new series of prints with two colour layers.
She concludes; “Art has always been a lens through which to observe and discover new ways of thinking, I would like my prints to do the same: encourage people to go beyond the borders of fear and get closer to other cultures, there is so much to enjoy out there!”
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