by Joy Esiemokhai
One great aspect of art is the use of different materials and instruments to create remarkable pieces, and steamroller printing is a clear example of that virtue. The process involves using a steamroller, typically used in road construction to flattening asphalt, to print large-scale inked designs from woodcuts to paper or cloth.
On the final day of Art Incend, an annual week-long celebration of different art media, the University of West Georgia’s art department recently organized a steamroller printing event for students and visitors. The program saw collaborative images using various student-made inked woodcut designs pressed onto white sheets. Steamroller printing is a derivative of woodcut relief printing, the oldest printmaking technique in the world.
“The students were really impassioned about this,” said Deborah Santini, UWG associate professor of art and printmaking professional who operated the steamroller. “This took time and effort to organize but they were determined to have the steamroller here; even having a bake sale to defray the costs,” she added, highlighting the students’ involvement in putting the event together.
Other events that took place at this year’s Art Incend included woodcut carving, a painting workshop, and a picnic for the participants.
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