North

Art under pressure: Steamroller prints Yukon artists' work

Creating art is often a delicate process, but sometimes you need a steamroller.

Technique allows large-scale woodcut prints in Whitehorse

'It turns visual art into an event,' said artist Sally Wright, who watched a city steamroller press her work into its final form. (Philippe Morin/CBC)

Things you need to make a large-scale wood block print: inks, paper, plywood, a carving utensil, and a steamroller.

OK, that last item isn't strictly necessary — but it sure is fun, says Sally Wright.

The Yukon artist was one of a few who had a chance to press a large-scale wood cut print on Friday in Whitehorse. The image she carved in plywood is a map of Yukon's rivers.  

This is the second time the City of Whitehorse has lent its equipment for art's sake. This year, fifteen local artists will get to keep two prints each.  

Jesse Devost's piece shows an exaggerated spaghetti-noodle-swirl of city traffic, inspired by Los Angeles. How very apropos to use a steamroller in its production.

"It turns visual art into an event," Wright said. 

Jesse Devost of Whitehorse also had his work pressed. His printed image is a nightmarish montage of city traffic. 

Asphalt is both the subject of the piece, and an element of its creation.  

"I spent about 15 hours carving out all of these designs," Devost said.  

The workshop continues all weekend at Shipyards Park in Whitehorse. 

It's called — of course — "Art Under Pressure".