lithographic process
muka studio started in 1984 as a workshop dedicated exclusively to printing lithographs in the traditional way from lithographic stone. initially the studio operated two small lithographic presses.
artists were invited to produce their work in cooperation with frans baetens and magda van gils.
in 1986 the purchase of an original semi automatic "voirin" press dramatically increased the capacity of the workshop.
every year a few selected artists are invited by the studio for a working holiday in new zealand
the overseas artists are hosted in a flat annex to the workshop.
muka thus gained not only a name for the quality of its printmaking and the originality of its worldwide projects but even for its hospitality and cuisine!
the studio regularly commissions artworks which go on sale exclusively at muka gallery
the studio also specialises in producing sets of original lithographs on demand for individuals and institutions, hotels, museums etc. project cost and timing have to be discussed on a case by case base.
the lithographic process
- what is a lithograph?
lithography from the greek “lithos” (stone) and “grapho” (i draw or write). the image is drawn on a flat lime stone or on a metal plate with a greasy, water repellent substance. the image is than processed which means chemically fixed. water is then spread over the surface followed by the application of an oil based ink the drawn areas retain the ink. paper is placed onto the plate and pressure applied transferring the image to the paper. only one color ink can be applied at a time, which makes the process very labor intensive. - what is an original print?
quite simply a print made by the artist her/himself eventually assisted by a printer. other prints are reproductions. all muka prints are originals, some even (monotypes) are “one offs”, they are all printed on archival paper and carry the muka embossed stamp certifying their originality - is a “limited edition “print an original?
not necessarily, “limited edition” says only that only a certain number of copies were printed 10, 1000, 50 000 or more! - is a print signed and numbered by the artist an original?
this means only that the artist has had it in his hands.