Unique exhibition on show at USQ

A unique exhibition of works by a USQ PhD student, which uses aluminium newspaper printing plates, is wowing audiences at the University's Arts Gallery.

Opening last week, Deborah Beaumont's exhibition, The surface answers back, explores the evolution of print through an investigation into the surface of the newspaper printing plate.

'My current PhD research focuses on a concept of the regenerating (mis)print through an exploration of the print detritus of local and regional newspaper production at Toowoomba's Chronicle,' Deborah said.

'The prints in this exhibition have as their substrate, the used aluminium newspaper printing plates from the site of The Chronicle.

'Since 2000 I have also been collecting and working with spoils (the accidental and incidental prints created during a newspaper print-run).

'These ink-stained, colourful spoils and the used newspaper printing plates are visual documents and social and cultural artefacts, more so now that the old printing press has been superseded by a new press centre at Wilsonton.'

Deborah added that the exhibition was also a chance for audiences to look at an obscure part of local history.

'Through this body of work I am revealing this little known aspect of our local history by exploring images and processes of local newspaper production.

'My works begin as print production waste: they are copies for which there is no original.'

An award winning artist, Deborah has been recognised nation wide for her artistic achievements.

'In 2006 I received the Blue Horizons Award at the inaugural Libris Awards for Australian artists' books,' she said.

'I have also exhibited in group exhibitions such as the Freemantle Print Award, the Warwick Art Prize and The Churchie where last year I received the New Technologies Award for a large scale digital print.'

The exhibition runs until Wednesday January 14 2009 in the USQ Arts Gallery and is free of charge.

Media Contact: Josh Ada, USQ Media, +61 7 4631 2559