WHAT IS A SERIGRAPH? by Kent Barton

Serigraphs are silkscreen prints on paper.  They are not reproductions of an original art, but are created by hand painting a screen blocking solution directly on the silkscreen to prevent the ink from printing on those areas of the paper.  This is the stencil for a particular colour.  All sheets of paper (edition) are personally screen printed in that colour ink and then the stencil for the next colour is created on the screen.  Because of the method used, each stencil is actually destroyed by painting the next stencil over it.

I do not use a silkscreen for each colour stencil, I use only one screen so each stencil is destroyed as the next is created.  

I work progressively through all the colour runs with the finished picture only appearing when I am printing the final colour.  At the end of the final run, the stencil is washed from the screen, limiting the edition absolutely.

All serigraphs are personally silkscreen printed, numbered, titled and signed by Kent Barton, and are created with highly U.V. resistant inks on quality printing papers to ensure a long life for the artwork.

LOOK AFTER YOUR ARTWORK: Never roll prints as damage may occur.  Always transport flat.  It is recommended to frame immediately.  If storing print - wrap and seal it to avoid moisture damage.  HANGING YOUR ART - As with all fine art, avoid positions that are exposed to moisture, heat, direct sunlight and excessive artificial light.  Prolonged exposure to any of the above will shorten the life of the artwork.

ARTIST PRINT OR REPRODUCTION: There is great confusion between Prints and Reproductions.  If you were to invest a large sum of money on a 'Warhol' print, you would want it to be the real thing and not something with the value of a mass produced poster.  A reproduction print is merely a colour picture of an existing artwork made by photograph and machine methods.

An Artist Print will always have value, in fact, fine quality prints made by leading printmaking artists sell for thousands to millions of dollars.  Print collecting is a great way to start an art collection.

There are several ways an Artist Print can be produced, but they follow a set procedure of professional artist involvement.  The artist conceives the work as a print and personally produces the edition.  The artist signs, titles and numbers each print and then destroys all plates or stencils (therefore limiting the edition absolutely).