General News
2 April, 2026
Exhibition’s message to “do some art”
Avoca’s Gallery 127 is hosting printmaker Colin Clark’s 'Demanding Proof' exhibition throughout April.
Avoca’s Gallery 127 is hosting printmaker Colin Clark’s work which champions the process and just having a go.
The central Victorian artist’s Demanding Proof exhibition presents audiences with modern work using printmaking techniques that dates back generations.
The majority of Mr Clark’s work uses a process known as relief printing which most simply involves a sheet being carved, inked, and pressed onto paper.
It’s that work which is on display between April 3 to 27 and what Mr Clark hopes will encourage the community to have a go.
“Even bad art is worth doing,” he said.
It’s a mission embodied by his studio named Crap Art Studio, although “it’s not because the art is crap”.
Instead it’s a way to break the ice and give himself, and guests, license to create without being critical.
“It’s my joking way to encourage more people to have a go,” he said.
Mr Clark questioned why kids create art fearlessly but lose their momentum once they start comparing themselves to others.
“We find out there’s a few kids amazingly good at art and we’re not actually that good, and for some reason we give up,” he said.
“We don’t do art, sometimes for years, sometimes ever, but we really enjoyed it.”
Turning to his own work Mr Clark spoke fondly of printmaking’s tactile process.
“You can literally just lose yourself for hours sitting there carving away,” he said.
“It is cathartic and sometimes when you get into it you realise you’re hungry, it’s 6 pm, and you’ve been going for six hours.”
The challenge is doing everything in reverse because what’s carved becomes the negative space.
“You never quite know until the end what it’s going to come out like until you print it. There’s an element of nerves and excitement about that as well,” he said.
Mr Clark’s exhibition, and message, is a simple one — just give it a go.
“I’d like to encourage people to get off their backside, do some art, and not care if it’s any good,” he said.
“If you enjoyed making it then it’s good.”
The official opening of the exhibition will be this Saturday, April 4, from 2 pm at Avoca’s Gallery 127.