Barbara McConchie
Over the past decade I have been creating small watercolours and drawings loosely based on ever changing views encountered on morning and evening walks, from the door of my home and back again. Reflecting these views, pondering cloud shapes, horizon lines, and the sky space, each scene re-imagined.
In another life I had great fun working with Basil Hall initially as a trainee and eventually as an edition printer at the Studio One Print Workshop in Canberra (now amalgamated and operating as Megalo Print Studio). Through this period I gained a wealth of experience mentored by Basil Hall, Heather Burness, Theo Tremblay and working alongside my co-printer and friend, Toni Bailey. I had unique experiences working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists whose image making never ceases to amaze me. I enjoyed working alongside artists of all generations, outlooks, ideas and approaches to printmaking; Toni Bailey, Pam Challis, Janenne Eaton, Gary Shead, Suzanne Knight and many more.
I studied printmaking and worked mainly in intaglio* and relief printing. After working as an edition printer for a number of years I drifted from the presses, creating images from lino cuts as relief drawings. Lino cuts, relief drawing, pencil drawings, watercolour and gouache paintings on paper (and occasionally gesso* panels) are my repertoire of choice.
MOMA’s good description of ‘intaglio printing’: A general term for metal-plate printmaking techniques, including etching, drypoint, engraving, aquatint, and mezzotint. The word comes from the Italian intagliare, meaning “to incise” or “to carve.” In intaglio printing, the lines or areas that hold the ink are incised below the surface of the plate, and printing relies on the pressure of a press to force damp paper into these incised lines or areas, to pick up ink.
Gesso is the Italian word for the white mineral gypsum. It is used as a ground or preparatory layer to ensure a smooth surface for priming of canvas, or a wall for a mural, often used for for painting or gilding on wood. I find it a lovely surface to work on as it keeps the colours rich and true.
Barbara McConchie cv
professional profile
education
1993 B. Visual Arts (Hons) printmaking major, ANU School of Art & Design awards
1993 Emerging Artist Support Scheme Award
art
exhibitions
2023 Out of Wagonga, Narooma Gallery, Narooma NSW
2022 Looking, Narooma Gallery, Narooma NSW
2021 Sharing Stories, online exhibition, ANU School of Art & Design, ACT
2019 Bundian Way, PhotoSpace Gallery ANU School of Art & Design ACT
2016 SOA PRO, Project Space, ANU School of Art & Design, ACT
2007 Push your buttons, ANU School of Art & Design, ACT
2004 Place original face down to copy, ANU School of Art & Design Gallery, ACT
2002 Shades of pink, Penrith Regional Gallery, NSW
2001 Copy, Spiral Arm Gallery, ACT
1999 Ambient Realities, ANCA Tenants Show, ANCA, ACT
1998 maritime, ANCA, ACT
1998 From the book, Artist Books and book-based artworks, Zone Gallery, SA
1996 near distance, Craft ACT: Craft & Design Centre, ACT
1996 The 1996 Open Art Prize Exhibition, Berrima District Art Society, NSW
1996 Borderlines Print Exchange, Willoughby Arts Centre, NSW; Studio One Print Workshop, ACT
1995 The 20th Annual Fremantle Print Award, Fremantle Arts Centre, WA
1995 A little more sophistry, Spiral Arm Gallery, ACT
1994 Partners in Print Exchange Portfolio, Australian Print Workshop Melbourne, toured Sydney, Canberra & Hobart
1994 The Women’s Room, Studio One Print Workshop, ACT
1994 Ocean Currents, Studio One Print Workshop, ACT Studio One / WA Print Exchange, Perth WA
1992 e.fem.era, ANCA Art Space, ACT
grants and awards
1996 ARTS ACT Professional Development Grant, ACT
1993 NRS Emerging Artist Support Scheme [EASS] Acquisition Award
writings
Big Print, exhibition essay, Megalo Print Studio & Gallery, 2010
Contents, Contents Forum, Craft ACT: Craft & Design Centre, 2004
With the flow, against the grain, exhibition essay, Craft ACT: Craft & Design Centre, 2003
Departing Traditions, exhibition essay, Craft ACT: Craft & Design Centre, 2003
Megalo Artist Space Program 1998, Imprint, Winter Vol 32 #2, 1997
Shifting Grounds: The Boston Print Symposium from an Australian Perspective, Contemporary Impressions Journal of the American Print Alliance, Heather Burness and Barbara McConchie, Fall, Vol 5 #2, 1997
arts management employment
2020 - present Studio management, Lymesmith, art + architecture + design studio
2010 - 2020 School Manager, School of Art & Design, The Australian National University
2003 - 2009 Executive Director, Craft ACT: Craft & Design Centre
2002 - 2003 Curator & Exhibition Manager, Craft ACT: Craft & Design Centre
2001 - 2002 Art Officer, Australian War Memorial
2000 - 2001 Gallery Manager, Beaver Galleries
1998 - 2000 Print Manager, Studio One Print Workshop
1994 - 1998 Access Coordinator, Studio One Print Workshop
1996 - Print and Drawing Tutor/Sessional Lecturer Studio One Print Workshop, Megalo Access Arts, The Australian National University
external committees
2020 - present Narooma School of Arts Management Committee
2007 - 2018 Art Advisory Committee ACT Legislative Assembly
2007 - 2010 Capital Arts Patrons Organisation (CAPO)
2003 - 2009 Australian Craft Design Centres Directors Network
