Tension Twenty Weeks

The year 2020 brought difficulties both practical (the closure of public spaces due to the Coronavirus Pandemic) and psychological (the loss, rage and uncertainty of the time). Lynk Collective seized the opportunity to design art that both reflected this era and provided solace to those engaged in making it. Conceived as a linked narrative in image and word, the book was created in sequence, with each artist making a piece inspired by the one that came before. The resulting book is a testament to the spontaneous nature of collaboration, the importance of remaining flexible and the opportunities that come with challenging times.

Tension is the act of stretching something tight. The word may be used to describe inner striving or unrest. It is not a coincidence that this collective of ten artists have joined together to create a visual representation of tension during a year of global pandemic, political division and natural disasters. Inspired by this unique and difficult era, Lynk Collective generated creative ways to continue our collaborations being physically separated.

Lynk Collective (LC) is a diverse group of printmakers located in Southern California, dedicated to promoting arts in the community. Established in 2018, the group collaborates on a range of projects and exhibitions using various techniques (printmaking, drawing, painting). One of LC's focal areas is high quality handmade bookmaking, and as of 2021, the collective has produced various books in sequence as a collaboration.

Tension Book Artists: Alexandra Chiara, Paula Voss, Zana Zupur, Yeansoo Aum, Bill Myers, Fevzi Balli, Sue Stoyanoff, Nguyen Ly, Christina Yasmin Fesmire, Bill Jaros

Visit us at https://www.lynkcollective.com/ I discovered printmaking five years ago and remain enthralled by its diversity and potential. The combination of technical skill and creative vision are a source of wonder in my life and I never tire of the element of surprise that each new project brings. Using everyday materials to create unique textures allows me to showcase the intricate beauty in the ordinary and serves as a tangible reminder to pay attention to all that surrounds us. I enjoy combining these printed materials with other media to create unique works that delight the eye and engage the emotions. As a practicing psychotherapist, I explore themes related to identity, memory and the healing effects of nature. Paula Voss is a printmaker, painter and mixed media artist who draws on our societies' most pressing issues for inspiration to spark inquiry and nurture dialog.  Her works are at times whimsical and other times solemn, mirroring our own and our collective understanding: Who are we? How do we develop our values? What are our responsibilities to our communities?  Find more of her work at her website: paulavossart.com and on instagram: @paulavossart. Zana is a versatile Art Director/Graphic Artist who has been creating eclectic visual artwork for over 20 years. Formally trained as a graphic designer, she fell in love with printmaking processes and techniques, which still represent one of the main focuses of her creative expression. Her prints are heavily influenced by graphic design concepts while maintaining a relationship with classical and modernist roots. Yeansoo Aum earned a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work (1992) and a Master's Degree in Women's Studies (1997) from Ewha Womans University in Seoul, Korea. From 1994 to 1995, she worked as an executive producer for the Vista documentary film production, "The Murmuring", in which she participated in making a film about Korean sexual slaves by Japan during World War II. After completing her Master's program, she worked as an organizer at the Asian Center for Women's Studies at Ewha University. In 1998, she moved to the United States and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts from the University of Minnesota (2002). We all do many things for tools to search out life. As a member of
that older generation, I have had a mixed history of expectations.
My family culture is from the middle hart land of America, whose
roots begin as late 1700's European immigrant farmers, miners and
blue-collar workers. World War II was the impetus for the family to live
and work in California beginning in the1940's.
Existing in the diversified cultures of California can be like
experiencing life as a puzzle part while searching for a fit when
exploring education in arts, photography, printmaking and travel.
How I became a tinkering and dabbler in printmaking was by chance.
Often an admirer and owner of some print art; I had a chance visit to
Irvine Fine Arts Center.

In 2015, I was on a quest as an amateur photographer to use the IFAC
photographic studio lab. My connection to art and printmaking took a
divergent path that day. The printmaking studio was an adjacent room
to the photography studio and with access delays to photography; I
opted for a beginning class in printmaking. My story and journey into the printmaking realm of art began that
day with a tour of the print studio and a challenge to make print and
maybe art. Printmaking became another sensory avenue as to how we can
explore cultures. Print helped me explore the world of none words,
symbolism, color and the craft of line and ink.
With the help of instruction, the shared interest of other artisan
printmakers I have been able delve into the world of print techniques,
learning with the help from others to make print.
Like life, art and printmaking has many layers and venues in which to
evoke ideas of a unspoken human language. For me the art in
printmaking has become an adventure in expectations when creating
the unspoken language of print; so I journey on! Based in California, Fevzi Balli is a multimedia artist working primarily in landscape photography and printmaking. Rather than focusing on one medium , he uses different techniques of visual expression that his stories call for. Recently he has been juxtaposing the realistic charcoal drawings with surreal cyanotype backgrounds in his artistic journey. When I retired a few years ago, I took my first printmaking class.  My experiences at the Angel's Gate Printmaking Class with Nguyen Ly were inspiring and so much fun.  I look forward to many more years of learning and making prints. I'm a multimedia artist and art educator with expertise in numerous printmaking techniques (including monoprint and drypoint), as well as drawing, sculpture and collage. My prints, drawings, sculpture and other work have been exhibited throughout California and in locales as diverse as Springfield, Missouri, and Guadalajara, Mexico. Christina Yasmin Fesmire is a multidisciplinary artist and designer based in the Los Angeles area, working with a focus on printmaking and product design. She founded Studio Arteur in 2019, which specializes in product as art, and includes printmaking, drawing, textile and sculpture.

Christina holds a Master's Degree in Industrial Design from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Art and Graphic Design, and has studied Film and Multimedia at New York University and New York Film Academy. She has exhibited and trained in various cities throughout Europe and Central America, including The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts and Architecture in Copenhagen- Denmark, Germany and Mexico. View her work at www.studioarteur.com and on Instagram (@christina_fesmire, @studio_arteur). Bill Jaros earned a Bachelor's Degree in Architecture from Syracuse University, New York in 1966. He then served in the Peace Corps in Tunisia, North Africa designing schools, housing and a bathhouse for the local community. Thereafter, Bill had a full career as an architect in California designing schools, banks, industrial buildings, residences and a museum. Parallel to his architectural work, Bill has always drawn, painted, created sculpture and has produced drypoint prints.
His ink drawings are influenced by architectural structure and landscape form. The oil paintings continue the architectural and landscape ideas, as well as exploring the affect of color harmonies. The sculptural work created from recycled cardboard, plaster, wood and metal evoke concepts about the universal influence of geographical environments that constantly affect our physical and spiritual well being. It is from these places that human rituals and ideas have evolved. The drypoint prints are created in many layers and configurations that are labyrinthine and map-like. Through all of his work, Bill believes that the true nature of what man can understand as reality is best explained through visual symbols and images. That is the role of all art.