Since it was founded in 2002, STPI has been a trailblazer in championing and promoting printmaking both in Singapore and on a global level. It has organised motley exhibitions around and beyond its residency programme, working with established artists to expand their oeuvre to incorporate the mediums of print and paper. Printmakers' Assembly further opens up the gallery programme to show artworks beyond those produced in STPI's Creative Workshop.
Now, more than ever, the resolve towards supporting independent artists around the world is deeply crucial. Initially limited to applicants from Southeast Asian countries, the open call for Printmakers' Assembly eventually expanded to welcome international applicants of all nationalities, in response to a high volume of requests and in the spirit of encouraging a wider range of submissions. Amidst increased travel bans and lockdowns due to the global pandemic, STPI received a remarkable and heartening range of applications from a variety of artistic and cultural backgrounds.
After a rigorous selection process, nearly 70 works were chosen from the submissions of 25 artists that demonstrated innovative, diverse treatments and technical competencies in the field of printmaking.
In light of the rapidly changing situation worldwide, STPI has been exploring and adapting to new exhibitionary formats that promote dynamism and access in a time of caution and containment. The 2020 edition of Printmakers' Assembly is thus taking the format of an online showcase, hosted on www.stpi.com.sg and accompanied by a host of online resources and programmes.