Ink Factory was a turning point for me, a live print performance where I consciously shifted the focus from participation to process. As part of the Print in Action exhibition, I wanted to create something that wasn’t about joining in, but about witnessing. I was curious about what might happen when the audience simply watched—watched the rhythm, the repetition, the quiet intensity of making.
I chose not to be available for conversation during the performance. That was intentional. I wanted to hold space for uninterrupted observation, to let the process speak for itself. Jale, my brilliant print sidekick, was there to hold the space socially, so I could remain absorbed in the work.
Using a ten-metre roll of paper suspended like a production line, I reimagined Colossal, my DIY mobile print studio, as something more industrial, alive and performative. It felt like a quiet act of rebellion. The labour of printmaking, usually hidden behind outcomes or masked by audience interaction, was front and centre.
I’m based in Plymouth, and my practice is grounded in community, research, and hands-on making. I work across paper, textiles, and wood, often exploring how physicality and intuition can shape visual language. With a background in graphic design, I’m always thinking about structure, but also about disruption, about what happens when you loosen control and let the process take the lead.
Ink Factory was a space to reflect, not just for the audience, but for me too. It reminded me that performance can be quiet. That making, in itself, can hold attention. That process is powerful and sometimes more powerful than the outcome.
This July, Sue Lewry will be taking over G34—a dynamic pop-up test space designed to explore ideas in public, experiment with scale, and spark new creative directions.
Initially, Sue will use the space to settle in and develop her work, gradually opening it up to the public through interactive moments, including a special one-day masterclass. Titled “Layers of Play with Sue Lewry,” the workshop invites participants to delve into the expressive possibilities of screen printing, exploring shape, texture, layering, and colour.
SAVE THE DATES:
Residency :14th – 28th July (Public engagement TBC)
Masterclass:19th July
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