Professional Documents
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Go Block Volume 7
Go Block Volume 7
A manifesto of unconventional
printmaking from the context of
printmakers in Malaysia.
Go Block Vol. 7 is a continuation from a ‘nerve war’ directed to the public
towards an artistic practice which needs to be competitive in order to
spread a doctrine of understand that will spread wider or reach bigger
crowds to ensure the Sustainability of Printmaking in the world full of
potentials to fulfil the worldwide exploration objective.
This effort is a continuation from the artist’s way of thinking I would like to emphasize that the variation in practices and
which desires changes in upholding the printmaking shifts in the thinking paradigm in Malaysian printmaking has
discipline. Through other exhibitions, before and after been nurtured and flourished in the artists. Nevertheless,
Go Block was formed, they became the main link to a set struggling ‘alone’ or working in silos has caused the ideas to
of thinking to produce ‘non-conventional printmaking’ in expand the potential for artwork to become lagged behind.
Malaysia. One of them was an exhibition named ‘Okir’ at Wei- On the other hand, this movement has been growing
Ling Gallery, Kuala Lumpur in 2007 and ‘Samudra’exhibition exponentially abroad through the aspect of art practice and
at Muzium and Galeri Tuanku Fauziah, USM (a continuation academic discussions.
from ‘Okir’ while being the Artist-in-Residence di USM –
Samudra exhibition took place after Go Block was held at Studio discussions and practices in universities have long
Petronas Gallery) in 2009 by Juhari Said; and Alternative contributed to the ‘conventional’ way of thinking and the
Printmaking exhibition at Petronas Gallery in 1995 which was ‘unconventional’ in printmaking. However, they become
organized by its visiting curator, Ponirin Amin. Going back lackluster since the discourse has not been getting a lot
to the early history of printmaking in Malaysia, this pattern of attention in the industrial practice (in UiTM and most
of thoughts had been highlighted through an artwork ‘Alibi other institutions which provide Printmaking courses – the
Catur di Pulau Bidong’ by Ponirin Amin which won the Main practice is conventional printmaking for the diploma level or
Prize, “Bakat Muda Sezaman” in 1980. Diploma in Fine Art; and the unconventional printmaking is
introduced at the bachelor study level or Bachelor in Fine
If we reflect on foreign art history, Andy Warhol was the Art). Go Block has developed in line with the art industry, and
artist who challenged our understanding of visual culture the ‘conventional printmaking’ continues to be celebrated
in printmaking – through his artwork Campbell’s Soup Cans – it’s challenges are represented through ‘Chetak 17’ (also
(1962) and Marilyn Diptych (1962) (just to name a few). He formerly known as Chetak 12); and passion had pushed the
upheld the pop art culture through various techniques boundary or there were efforts to expand the ‘conventional
including the serigraphy printing; he was not concerned concept’ through the ‘Go Block’ movement which functions
about the convention which was repeatedly mentioned in as the ‘nerve war’ that was related to matters pertaining to
the discourse of printmaking (matters like proofing, edition, unconventional printmaking practice.
framing, and others). Andy Warhol brought an attempt to
use technical adoption to convey a story and meaning in Based on the interview sessions with Juhari Said (founder
his artwork; and he had ignored the principle, concept, and of Go Block ideas), he was more interested in discussing
convention of printmaking art. What was the actual struggle the principle, concept, and spirit in printmaking from the
that Andy Warhol went through in relation to printmaking perspective of traditional, modern, and contemporary
timelines. By looking at traditional practices of reapplying or Four (4) significant categories have become the foundation to
‘terap ulang’ which is observed among cake (kuih) makers, printmaking artists in the area of ‘conventional printmaking’
people who produce handicrafts, and many others; Juhari for the purpose of exploration activities whether the
Said believed that the principle and concept of printmaking printmaking approach is – ‘expanded’ or/and ‘extended’ or/and
art has always thrived among the local community. Juhari ‘alternative’; or I would prefer to use the term unconventional.
completely understands the modern printmaking framework Explanation of categories through the definitions are:
which becomes the basis of Go Block way of thinking; the
basis for his trust on the concept of ‘terap ulang’ through 1. Image or Design
traditional timeline; conventional printmaking art through • Design or image or idea that is produced by the artist
modern timeline; and the value of exploration through for the purpose of producing printmaking artwork.
contemporary or unconventional timeline; this goes beyond
the conventional principle but maintaining the ‘language’ of 2. Block or Matrix
printmaking itself. • Block or also known as matrix is the phase of storing
information of design, image or idea which becomes
Today, Go Block is not only known as a platform for ‘group the form or concept to the ‘transfer’ process to
exhibition’, but it has also become an ‘institution’ which plans produce printmaking artwork or its by product. There
to develop and enhance the printmaking discipline which is also the concept of ‘mirror image’ in producing the
has often been regarded as rigid: printmaking block or matrix.
3. Language of Printmaking
1. Uphold the traditional printmaking – matters related
• Printmaking language in the production of artwork is
to local community activity and culture which are
the process and concept of ‘transferring’ or ‘transfer’
related to the concept of ‘terap ulang’.
or ‘maintaining the form’.
Figure 1:
Basic Process in producing conventional printmaking art.
The basic process in Figure 1 is part of the normal practice The exploration to expand meaning in the series of Go Block
carried out by the conventional printmaking artists. It is exhibitions is like a ‘visual memorandum’ for its potential
a process of a full cycle of printmaking artwork that is changes. This ‘Memorandum’ means that ‘memo, atau
produced (except bookmaking – this depends on the artist’s dokumen bertulis yang digunakan untuk berkomunikasi di
choices). This is the process which has been deemed as dalam sebuah organisasi atau antara individu dalam konteks
rigid and static in the practice of conventional printmaking professional dan kebiasaannya digunakan untuk tujuan yang
– it leads to a dogma that the conventional printmaking rasmi dan berbentuk ringkas’ (memo or written document
cannot stray from the matters explained here. If the artist which is used to communicate in an organisation or among
does not conform to this convention, they are considered individuals in the professional context and it is usually
as not producing any printmaking material. Based on the used for official purposes and contains brief messages). In
discussion with Go Block artists, it is apparent that such is Go Block, its artists had professionally delivered a ‘visual
the way they think about printmaking. memorandum’ to the public and challenges the way they
think through the philosophy, concept and meaning to
6. Go Block artists’ intelligent approach in Exploring continuously expand the discourse in printmaking.
Conventional Printmaking Art: A Memorandum to
Expand Meaning Towards Unconventional Practice of 7. An Unconventional Printmaking Manifesto
Printmaking Art by Go Block Artists
There are many efforts in highlighting the potentials of To understand the concept of ‘manifesto’, printmaking
conventional printmaking art that has been given an cannot avoid from the need to own it. The objective behind
expansion in meaning. Go Block artist explorations had the production of this manifesto is to determine the actual
already focused only on a certain stage of the production function of ‘unconventional printmaking’ as introduced
in the previous series of exhibitions. Block or matrix by Go Block for some time can be clearly focused on and
and the printmaking by products which were outside of understood by many. Go Block Manifesto is a document
the conventional printing discipline were produced and which comprises of a collection of printmaking artists’
exhibited at Go Block exhibitions were: thoughts for 7 series of Go Block exhibitions since 2007.
1. Casting technique as block in producing the Based on the exploration from the perspective of an
printmaking art by Juhari Said, Shahrul Jamili Miskon, intellectual discourse in each of the exhibition, it has
Kim Ng, Faizal Suhif. become a responsibility to produce a printmaking art
2. Printmaking Installation by Zulkifli Yusof ‘manifesto’ which has been tested to the public and has
3. Time as the block concept in the printmaking artwork also been formally or non-formally discussed by the
by Shahrul Jamili Miskon. academicians. Writing this manifesto is not considered as
4. Folding technique as block and ‘origami’ as by too early since this is not the first of the series of Go Block
product in the artwork of Faizal Suhif. Exhibition; the exhibition is the seventh series (7). It is an
5. Fingerprints as block in the printmaking artwork of exhibition which is systematically organized and brimming
Shahrul Jamili Miskon. with continuous experimental as well explorational values.
6. Loop and repeat video as block and its principle of Go Block is committed to state that:
repetition in the artwork of Samsudin Wahab.
7. Steel plate which was etched with acid as a by
product of Sharul Jamili Miskon.
8. Book art as the by product of printmaking artwork by
Go Block artists Vol 6.
9. MRI image / film as the by product of printmaking
artwork by Shahrul Jamili Miskon.
10. Paper pulp as the by product to the printmaking
artwork of Awang Damit Ahmad.
11. And many others (not limited to the examples shared
here).
Manifesto of Unconventional Printmaking Art 5. Perfection in Art
Go Block, advocates of unconventional printmaking; also Perfection is not our objective. We celebrate
known as expanded printmaking)/ extended printmaking/ accidental effect, unexpected product and
alternative printmaking), is now at the congregation ‘imperfections’ which appear in the process of
of traditional, modern, contemporary, and numerous printing. Each flaw has its own unique story.
innovations. Go Block celebrate the passion in experiments,
freedom of expression, and other possibilities which occur 6. Sustainable Creation
when artists challenge the norms of existing printmaking art.
This Manifesto is the testament of Go Block dedication to Go Block understands the importance of nature
redefine printmaking art. Hence, Unconventional Printmaking and strive to apply sustainability in artwork.
Art for Go Block is: Unconventional printmaking artists strive to reduce
wasting, practice recycling, and reduce carbon
1. Accepting Varieties and Explorations footprints for the environment.
Go Block perceives our surrounding as the source It perceives printing not as the end to an artwork
of printing inspiration and it is not conventional. but the beginning of creativity. Printing is able to
Everything from the waste to the landscape in town functions as the basis to the production of art, form
has something to offer for the creation of art. Go presentation and installation, and produce artwork
Block strives to rejuvenate forgotten objects and with various disciplines: all these is to expand the
spaces. possibility for creative expressions among the Go
Block artists.
4. Technology as the Drive
Hence: In the spirit of this unconventional “Printmaking must be the important platform as
printmaking, Go Block challenges, innovates, and the general dissemination medium and ‘nerve
redefine all possible boundaries. This manifesto is a war’ to the public in dealing with issues which are
call to all artists around the world to come together related to the matter of beauty, divinity, climate
and collaborate with Go Block to embark on an change, politics, social, culture, religion, economy,
interesting journey to penetrate the limits, change patriotism, psychology, and anything else for that
the world view, and create artwork which transcends matter. Printmaking is responsible to become a
the convention. At the same time, we bring forth the tool to change the public’s motivation and drive on
tradition, talk about humanity, and remain in tangent any issue that is brought up. Today, it is also the
with the development of current technology. responsibility of the printmaking artists to record
memories, ignite passion and the drive, criticize the
8. Conclusion and Hope for a Progressive Go Block public, and later share the intellectual doctrine and
upholds the wonders of ideas and thoughts to move
In principles, Go Block has started its movement and is also forward.”
working on ideas for contemporary printmaking art through
the ‘unconventional’ path which highlights the character Something that completely amazes me, Go Block would like
and concept in conventional printmaking discipline. To to shoulder this responsibility as an artist through a discipline
summarize this discussion: called “Printmaking”!
Textrinum Vol : 2
Mixed hardwood, epoxy resin, gear, charcoal black matte paint
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SET B
The Memoirs of Panopticon Brotherhood
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RM 24,000 RM6,800 p/p
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SET C
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RM27,000 RM9,800 p/p
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RM14,000 RM7,800 p/p
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FADLI MOKHTAR
Pejuang Cahaya
Monotype print & collage on canvas 152cm x 244cm 2023
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Sosok
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RM1,500
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FADLI MOKHTAR
Belenggu
Monotype print & collage on paper
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FAIZAL SUHIF
Titian Riwayat
Monoprint, 3D print, casting, cement plaster, offset printing ink on cotton
Variable dimension 2023
Price upon request
FAIZAL SUHIF
Sebenih cahaya…
Monoprint, spray paint, offset printing ink on canvas
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FAIZAL SUHIF
Sebenih akal…
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Mayang sulbi
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FAIZAL SUHIF
Seurat kasih…
Monoprint, spray paint, offset printing ink on canvas
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RM8,500
HAAFIZ SHAHIMI
GERHANA
Pyrography print, automotive paint, remazol, direct burn cut on jute
(2 layers). Finished with clear matte paint.
158.5cm x 180.5cm 2023
RM38,000
JUHARI SAID
in collaboration with Masnoor Ramli Mahmud
Gerbang Kayangan
Mixed media Variable dimension 2023
RM13,000
Detail: Panji Tipu Daya
SAMSUDIN WAHAB
DZUR FAZREEN
+6 011 6976 7310
dzur@galeriputeh.com
Published by
Galeri Puteh Art Management
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No.3, Jalan Bangsar, 59200 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: +60 3 2201 1922