Bill Ritchie Design Work in Saudi Arabia
in the collection of
Hind ArRajehi
Active and passive sides of Pram Halfwood Press No. 119
Pram Halfwood Press #119
About Hind ArRajehi: She studied graphic design and printmaking at Xavier University and Ohio University, and discovered that she loved printmaking, too. She balanced her creative processes and completed her MFA thesis on the importance of spontaneity in design, which is not a traditional practice in the field. On a Halfwood press web page she noticed one of the reasons for the miniature presses was to familiarize and popularize the practice and this is exactly what she want to do in Riyadh, and it's possible with this press, even if it's just for fun. "The press and printmaking will get a lot of recognition."
Specifications: Made in 2015. Pram Halfwood Press. Serial No. 60119. Specifications: Rollers are 1.5 diameter, 6 and 5.5 inches long, top and bottom respectively. The bed is 1/4 x 6 x 17.5 inch polycarbonate (the standard) with steel rack; overall length is 17.5 inches; overall width is 9 inches; overall height is 10 inches; weight, about 14 lbs; drive wheel is 8 inches diameter in stainless steel. The bed is rack-driven, approximating a 3:1 mechanical advantage. Wood is solid American black walnut. The pressure screws are linked and synchronized. The press included two etching felts, user's manual, Allen wrenches with instructions if needed, a PressGhost flash drive with USB extension cable for connecting to a computer, and the press maker's book, "A Printmaker's Tale." On the owner's request, the press designer etched a copper plate and included an artist's proof and uploaded a video (below).
Comment: Hind went searching for an etching press to start her printmaking workshop in Riyadh. Noticing another Arabian name - Mohanad - she followed the trail and found the Halfwood Press line. She asked me to show her a test of the press; I asked her for an idea for an image and sent calligraphy from the website of Nihad Nadam, which I juxatposed to my "art" - the press.
Left: Bill Ritchie stops out a copper plate designed for testing the Pram Halfwood Press for its owner. Right, closeup of the
design, inspired by Arabic calligraphy for salaam, "peace," with the Pram profile and printed for the test.
See the video on YouTube.
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