'The Art & Craft of Print' exhibition - 9 May - 1 November

'The Art & Craft of Print'

Curated in partnership with St Jude’s Prints, The Art & Craft of Print brings together the most comprehensive exhibition of print illustration to-date, showcasing the work of 26 major printmakers working in Britain today, including Angie Lewin, Mark Hearld, Emily Sutton and Jonny Hannah.

For the first time, visitors are also able to explore the printmaking techniques behind the art, from screen print and linocut to wood engraving, letterpress and lithography. Displays and behind-the-scenes material reveal the intricate, often complex processes involved, encouraging the viewer to look beyond the finished image to discover how prints are conceived and developed. Tools, materials, sketchbooks and proofs offer insight into the stages of experimentation and decision-making that underpin each final work.

Featured artists: 

John Broadley, Christopher Brown, Chloë Cheese, Clare Curtis, Anne Desmet, Melvyn Evans, Beatrice Forshall, Jonathan Gibbs, Peter Green, Alistair Grant, Jonny Hannah, Sharon Hannah, Mark Hearld, Clive Hicks-Jenkins, Ed Kluz, Edwin La Dell, Angie Lewin, Mick Manning, Penfold Press, Sheila Robinson, Charles Shearer, Bronwen Sleigh, Emily Sutton, Robert Tavener, Typoretum and
Matt Underwood.

Film footage and photography offers an additional perspective on the artists’ working environments. Drawn from their studios and print workshops, this material sits alongside tools, proofs and finished works, gently illuminating aspects of printmaking practice. Together, these elements invite a deeper appreciation of the care, skill and time involved in making contemporary prints.

“It’s a real honour for St Jude’s to be working with the National Trust on this exhibition at Mottisfont,” says Simon Lewin, co-founder of St Jude’s. “Printmaking has been at the heart of everything we do for over twenty-one years, and this exhibition celebrates not only the beauty of the finished prints, but the extraordinary craft, skill and quiet dedication behind them. To share that story in such a special place, and with so many artists we’ve worked with over the years, feels particularly meaningful.”

Mottisfont has a strong historical association with craftsmanship, from the hand-painted marble walls in the long gallery to Rex Whistler’s famous trompe l’oeil artwork in the Whistler Room and Boris Anrep’s mosaic angel, fringed by wisteria on the south side of the house. Former owner, arts patron and society hostess Maud Russell, had a deep appreciation for pattern and design, and she was a passionate supporter of contemporary artists; a tradition that Mottisfont continues today through its changing programme of exhibitions.

Sue Laws, exhibition curator and Senior Programming Officer at Mottisfont: “I’ve long wanted to bring a print exhibition to the gallery at Mottisfont; not only because of my own love for the craft, but because I’m passionate about sharing the process behind the art.

“There’s so much that goes into creating a handmade print. At its heart, printmaking is wonderfully democratic; it can be as simple as a potato print, but in the hands of a skilled artist it can produce something truly extraordinary. It’s an art form with a history stretching back thousands of years.

“So many of the nation’s heritage craft skills are at risk of being lost forever, but craft really seems to be experiencing a revival. There’s renewed desire to make and create with our hands, maybe because it’s such a grounding and comforting process. I hope this exhibition not only celebrates that spirit but also inspires our visitors to have a go themselves!”

Sue Laws, exhibition curator and Senior Programming Officer at Mottisfont

Useful to know

• The exhibition runs 9 May to 1 November 2026.
• Entry to the exhibition is included as part of the usual property admission fee (free for National Trust members, Art Fund members and under 5s).
• The Art gallery at Mottisfont is open 11am–4.30pm daily; last entry 4.00pm
• There is no need to book. 
• See the Visitor information section on the Mottisfont homepage for further details.
• Find a selection of carefully selected books on printmaking techniques available to purchase, at the Mottifont gift shop.
• On May 9, a number of artists featured in the exhibition will be at Mottisfont.
• Artwork included in this exhibiton is available to purchase via St Jude's.