Activity: Zines
Míša Štorková (they/he/on/ona) is an emerging artist, craftsperson, and arts educator studying at the University of Calgary, currently based on Treaty 7 land but originally from Czechia. Míša’s primary mediums are printmaking and analog photography, though anything employing a hands-on mixed media approach lies within their interest. Their art practice focuses primarily on the Disabled experience, matrilineal relationships, and generational trauma – regarding biological and/or found family. Míša strives to make works which question what we view as Fine Art, and to give voice to those who have been ‘Othered’. Their work has been exhibited around Canada and published internationally. Find them at @mold_munchr and reach them via misa.storky at gmail dot com
Pressing Forward: Making Fine Arts Printmaking Accessible to All
a series focused on accommodating Fine Arts Printmaking (namely, silkscreen and relief) to physically Disabled artists.
Míša writes: “This series of zines addresses accessibility as it relates to my lived experiences, and the experiences of the Disabled printmakers with whom I consulted. It is not a comprehensive or exhaustive list of accommodations which could be used while printmaking. Accommodations focus on working at wheelchair height, with reduced mobility, strength, and stamina. Disability is as diverse as there are Disabled people, and I welcome others to expand and extend upon my research in areas that I haven't covered.”
Below, there are 2 virtual versions of each zine (one .pdf and one .docx).
The .pdf versions are a direct visual digitization of the analog publications, while the .docx versions are meant to be accessible for those using text-to-speech technology, and contain detailed image descriptions throughout.
Pressing Forward Zine Series
by Míša Štorková
Pressing Forward: Paper, Prep, Registration, & Image Development
By Míša Štorková
The cover is printed on pale turquoise. It contains the title “Paper Prep, Registration, and Image Development by Míša Štorková.” Smaller text at the bottom of the page reads “from the series Pressing Forward: Making Fine Arts Printmaking Accessible for All.”
The cover image depicts a collaged set of collaged photographic images in various bitmaps, diffusion dithers, and thresholds, depicting various tools used in image development, registration, and paper prep. The image is continuous from the back cover to the front; on the front cover are shown a ruler, silkscreen registration pins, and a DSLR camera.
The cover is printed on pale peach paper. It contains the title “Relief Printing: Carving Processes by Míša Štorková.” Smaller text at the bottom of the page reads “from the series Pressing Forward: Making Fine Arts Printmaking Accessible for All.”
On this cover is a soft linoleum print of a series of relief printmaking carving tools laid out. The image is continuous from the back cover to the front; on the front cover are shown a chainmail anti-cut glove, palm-handled carving gouge, and replacement carving tips. Wrapping around from the back cover is an electrical cord and base of another carving tool. The background of this image has rounded horizontal chatter.
Pressing Forward: Relief Printing - Carving Processes
By Míša Štorková
Pressing Forward: Relief Printing - Insulation Foam
by Míša Štorková
The cover is printed on bright, pale pink paper. It contains the title “Relief Printing: Insulation Foam by Míša Štorková.” Smaller text at the bottom of the page reads “from the series Pressing Forward: Making Fine Arts Printmaking Accessible for All.”
In between this text on the centre of the page is an insulation foam relief print of a block and series of tools laid out. The image is continuous from the back cover to the front; on the front cover are shown the front section of an insulation foam block (with a pink panther logo) and a pencil. The background of this image has a soft, organic-feeling chatter.
The cover is printed on pastel yellow. It contains the title “Relief Printing: Carving Tools and Setup by Míša Štorková.” Smaller text at the bottom of the page reads “from the series Pressing Forward: Making Fine Arts Printmaking Accessible for All.”
The cover image depicts a direct print of relief printmaking tools. The image is continuous from the back cover to the front; on the front cover are shown the right side of a nitrile glove, an anti-slip mat, finger cots, and foam tubing for bulking up a brayer handle.
Pressing Forward: Relief Printing - Carving Tools & Setup
By Míša Štorková
Pressing Forward: Silkscreen Printing - Studio Setup & Tools
By Míša Štorková
The cover is printed on bright turquoise. It contains the title “Silkscreen Printing: Studio Setup and Tools by Míša Štorková.” Smaller text at the bottom of the page reads “from the series Pressing Forward: Making Fine Arts Printmaking Accessible for All.”
The cover image depicts a drawn 2-layer silkscreen print (in black and light grey) of a screen and silkscreen printing tools. The image is continuous from the back cover to the front; on the front cover are shown the right side of a silkscreen wrapping over from the front, an ink bucket, spatula, goggles, and registration pins. Shading is achieved through thin hatching in the black layer, and large shapes of the grey layer for shadows.