The Non-Toxic Contemporary Approach to Teaching Printmaking Art

Abstract

Printmaking is a universally acknowledged and widely practiced discipline of art and art education that has historical roots going back several centuries. Unfortunately, most traditional printmaking techniques were invented hundreds of years before the concepts of occupational health & safety and environmental awareness were developed. Consequently, issues related to ecological conservation, health and safety have not been fully reconciled with the traditional practices of printmaking art. Meanwhile several printmaking educational programs especially in the US and Europe have already adapted to the contemporary Non-Toxic approach to teaching printmaking art, printmaking educational art programs in the Middle East are still grappling with the traditional concepts and teaching restrictions of “Original printmaking”. This research investigates different health and ecological aspects related to teaching traditional printmaking techniques, and suggests other relevant Non-Toxic alternatives.

Keywords: Printmaking Art , Non-Toxic Printmaking , Printmaking Art Education.