Whanganui printmaker Sue Cooke's work is being exhibited around the world — in the London Print Studio Summer Members' Show, Miniprint Kazanlak in Bulgaria and Miniprint International Cadaques.
The last exhibition travels from Cadaques, Spain, to Wingfield in England, then to Barcelona and on to Bages in France.
"I've known about the Cadaques exhibition for many years but I've never put any work in. They kept sending me the entry forms," Sue says.
In 2014 she applied and was accepted.
"What I like about that exhibition is that it's peer reviewed. They choose six winners out of 600-odd artists and those six winners are the judges for the following year. Last year I was lucky enough to be a finalist.
"The London Print Studio Summer Exhibition — I am a member of London Print Studio because that's where I went to be Artist in Residence last July. You have to be a member to be able to work there."
Sue was accepted for the exhibition 24 hours before going on holiday so she had to rush to frame and send the work.
She was also Artist in Residence, in Gamli Skoli, Hrisey, Iceland, last year.
Having her work shown in such diverse, faraway places must be good for the inner artist.
"It helps my confidence enormously," she says. "It's nice to feel good about what you're doing."
Sue works mostly on her own, so apart from visitors to her gallery she gets little feedback. Acceptance for prestigious exhibitions is recognition for a job well done.
"In terms of reputation, the more exposure you can get anywhere … but it has to fit well with what you're doing."
The Bulgarian exhibition — Miniprint Kazanlak — invited Sue to exhibit. It's probable they heard of her through the Spanish exhibition.She checked it out online and was impressed.
"It's very good, it's all very well run, the philosophy behind the exhibition is sound."
