Biography

Professor Stephen Hoskins is Hewlett Packard Professor of Fine Print and Director of the Centre for Fine Print Research at the University of the West of England Bristol. His primary areas of research are the potential of 3D printing and related digital technologies for the arts, plus the tactile surface of the printed artefact and its consequences for digital technology. His books, ‘Water based Screenprinting’ and ‘Inks’ were published by A&C Black and his latest book 3D Printing for Artists, Designers and Makers will be published by Bloomsbury Academic in 2013.

As a practising printmaker Stephen has exhibited widely throughout the world including the 5th, 6th and 7th International Exhibit of prints and drawings Taipei ROC. The 9th International Print Biennial, Varna, Bulgaria. The 1st Tokyo miniature print triennial Tokyo Japan. The 3rd Triennial of Miniature Prints Chamaliers, France and the 1st Malaysian Print Biennial Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. His work is held in many collections world-wide including the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Tate, London; Clarke Consultancy; S and D Weinstien, Private Collection New York;  Atlantis Paper Company, London; KMP Advertising; Microsoft; and Lloyds TSB.  His latest work, two plates 3D printed in the UWE ceramic material (Viriclay) with onglaze transfer decoration based on 15th Century Majolica plates from Deruta, was recently purchased by the Arts and Humanities Research Council and Department of Business, Innovation and Skills for their permanent collections.

Academic Paper

‘A Very English Process’ Underglaze tissue printing for ceramics, a collaboration to retain 19th Century printing skills in a commercial environment.
The standard text ‘Penny Plain and Twopence coloured’ regarding Blue and White underglaze ceramic transfer printing begins: ‘Transfer printing is a particularly English form of ceramic decoration’1 (Halfpenny, Pat. 1994).
Underglaze tissue ceramic transfer printing first developed circa 1750 and involved the use of engraved or etched copper plates, from which a wet strength tissue paper was printed with an oxide (commonly cobalt for blue colour) the famous ‘Willow Pattern’ being the best known example. Underglaze tissue has a very distinctive, subtle quality – it is an integral part of both English ceramic history and the history of copperplate engraving.
The process was common in the UK ceramics industry until the1980s. However from the 1950s it began to be supplemented by screenprinting because it was relatively slow and required skilled artisans to apply the transfers. Screenprinted transfers are printed on top of the glaze, therefore the image will wear and fade in a dishwasher – having none of the delicate qualities and permanence of underglaze. In addition screenprinted transfers are easier to apply and do not require the skills necessary for underglaze tissue application. The authors are collaborating with Burleigh Pottery in Stoke-on-Trent, the last remaining company to produce ceramic tableware decorated using the traditional printed underglaze tissue method. The project title is ‘Combining digital print technologies with 18th Century underglaze ceramic printing to retain an industrial heritage process’. The pottery was recently saved from closure by the Princes’ Regeneration Trust, who wish to maintain the traditional manufacturing skills for the next 25 years.

Illustrated Talk 

3D printing for the visual arts an overview of current practice and its historical context
Rapidly gaining popular attention, 3D printing is viewed as the next life changing technology.  This talk explains how the creative industries are directly interfacing with this new technology and how it is changing the practices of many artists and designers across the globe.  A selection of case studies of leading practioners in their respective disciplines reveals this fascinating process in action.  It also introduces the groundbreaking research by Stephen Hoskins and his research team at the Centre for Fine Print Research, UWE Bristol who are world leaders in the development of techniques for 3D printing in ceramics, and includes a potted history of 3D printing , from its origins in aerospace to its current, diverse applications in bio-medics and Formula One racing, through to furniture and jewellery design.  A fascinating investigation into how the applied arts continue to adapt to new technologies.

Open Folio

Stephen Hoskins – Selected Works
As a practising printmaker Stephen has exhibited widely throughout the world including the 5th, 6th and 7th International Exhibit of prints and drawings Taipei ROC. The 9th International Print Biennial, Varna, Bulgaria. The 1st Tokyo miniature print triennial Tokyo Japan. The 3rd Triennial of Miniature Prints Chamaliers, France and the 1st Malaysian Print Biennial Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. His work is held in many collections world-wide including the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Tate Gallery.