Flatbed and Imoga

The meeting

Mr. Tekcan showing off his "best"

Mrs. Brimberry and Mr. Tekcan

Looking over work

Pulling a beautiful print

Comparing colors

5^th Tunel International Art Festival 2006 EYH IMOGA & Flatbed Press X, Y & Z

Katherine Brimberry Master printer of Austin meets Turkey's Premier printer Suleyman Saim Tekcan

2006, continues to be an amazing year for Aden. For the first time in Aden's history we had the privilege of being a conduit in a very special and unique way. We had the opportunity of connecting one of America's finest Master Printers Katherine Brimberry from the infamous Flatbed Press based in Austin, Texas with Turkey's most sought after Master Printers Süleyman Saim Tekcan from Istanbul Museum of Graphic Arts. The first encounter was quite magical and inspiring. The two printers meeting for the first time was almost like two lost lovers finding each other, of course, their love is of the printing process. The whole experience was amazing and eye opening as the two shared techniques, variances in ink and paper and presses. The two Masters really enjoyed each others company and they both really hope to stay in touch to create collaborative projects with each others spaces.

Katherine Brimberry, Flatbed Press

Mrs. Brimberry Co-founded Flatbed in1989 - is located in Flatbed World Headquarters, an 18,000 sq. ft. warehouse which we redeveloped in 1999 as a community of creative professionals.

Flatbed Inc. comprises two divisions:
Flatbed Press is a publishing workshop which collaborates with artists to produce limited editions of original etchings, lithographs, woodcuts, and monoprints. Flatbed also does contract, collaborative printing for other publishers, dealers, artists, and institutions, and is available on a limited basis for open-shop work by experienced artists. Flatbed Gallery is a private art gallery which specializes in original prints, but also exhibits and markets exceptional paintings, drawings, and photographs.

Süleyman Saim Tekcan, IMOGA (Istanbul Museum of Graphic Arts)

Süleyman Saim Tekcan started off as a young and idealist educator, fascinated with the potentials of printmaking. From the 1960’s on, printmaking played a major part throughout his expedition in art. Tekcan’s innovative and inquisitive character reflectedon to his prints. As he mastered in the technique, he spread his excitement and enthusiasm not only by forcing the limits of printmaking, but also by continuing his mission as an educator throughout the country.

IMOGA owns one of the world’s rare collection of prints, with more than 1000 prints made by over 50 Turkish and foreign artists and with another 200 prints which were either donated or bought and included in the collection. By means of its vast collection and its impressive system, IMOGA has proven to be one of Turkey’s leading art foundations and has acquired an important place in the art world. Süleyman Saim Tekcan’s contribution to printmaking is as universal as his contribution to modern and cultural life in Turkey.

Burak Pekoglu served as translator and Aden liaison which was made possible through the support of The Grove Center for the Arts and Hope Arts Festival.

The Encounter

(click picture to enlarge)