Mead Gallery exhibition celebrates the enduring power of printmaking with 160 works by iconic artists including Andy Warhol, David Hockney, Lubaina Himid and Tracey Emin.
This January, The University of Warwick will celebrate its 60th anniversary with The Future is Today, a landmark exhibition at Warwick Arts Centre’s Mead Gallery.
Featuring 160 prints by more than 60 inspirational artists, including iconic names such as Andy Warhol, Lubaina Himid, and Tracey Emin, the exhibition showcases the enduring power of printmaking and reflects the university’s founding ideals through the theme ‘prints are ideas in circulation.’
The exhibition highlights the versatility of printmaking, with works exploring critical themes such as identity, social justice, and the environment, while celebrating its evolution from traditional techniques to cutting-edge innovations.
Sarah Shalgosky, Principal Curator at The University of Warwick, said: “This exhibition is both a tribute to past generations who have sought to change our world and an invitation to the next generation of artists, activists, and thinkers to keep creating ideas that lead to a better world.”
Visitors can immerse themselves in the creative process through an on-site print studio, offering hands-on opportunities to create their own screenprints and monoprints.
As part of the celebrations, The University of Warwick has commissioned a special 60th anniversary print by Coventry artist Ben Sanderson. His limited-edition colour etching, Placing Place, was created in collaboration with master printmaker Simon Morris. Produced in an edition of 60, with a further special edition of six on handmade paper, Placing Place will be on view during the exhibition and available for purchase at a special exhibition price of £240 / £600. All profits will support community engagement with the University of Warwick Art Collection.
Founded in 1965, The University of Warwick was created to inspire a socially diverse generation to shape the ideas of the modern world. This vision extended to building a unique art collection with a strong emphasis on modern prints – an ambition that remains central to the University’s identity today.
Alongside the exhibition, a programme of talks and panel discussions exploring the art and impact of printmaking will run in early 2025, with full details and tickets available via the Warwick Arts Centre Box Office or online.
The Future is Today: Prints and The University of Warwick, 1965 to Now opens Thursday 16 January 2025 at the Mead Gallery, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry.
