Vollmer lives and works on Manhattan’s lower east side. She received her M.F.A. in printmaking from Hunter College in 1982. Focusing primarily on Japanese woodcut, she also works in the computer, often combining traditional and contemporary techniques. She has taught workshops at the Japan Society, the Lower East Side Printshop, Pyramid Atlantic and Dieu Donné Papermill. Her prints have been exhibited at The Phillips Museum of Art, Franklin and Marshall College, Western Wyoming Community College, Ceres Project Room, A.I.R. Gallery, Marymount Manhattan College, Manhattan Graphics Center, Islip Art Museum and the St. John’s University and internationally. Her work is in numerous collections including the University of Cambridge, American Association for the Advancement of Science and the Equitable Corporation. During a residency Vollmer plans to continue work on her project that utilizes digital and handmade printing techniques: the Insect Mandala Prints create transcendental images through the repetition of shapes derived from insect forms. The artist creates prints inspired by the complex patterns from elements in nature. Using a digital camera and scanner to document details of nature, such as insects and flowers the artist brings these images into the computer to manipulate into layered, abstract compositions. Vollmer will lead printmaking sessions for art students focused to Japanese water-base woodblock printing, a non-toxic technique she often uses in her own work. The hanga woodcut is the traditional water-base woodcut technique used by the Japanese ukiyo-e masters in the 17th century. She will also present a public lecture on her work. For more information on the artist: www.aprilvollmer.com.
Department of Art > Uncategorized > April Vollmer, visual artist, March 11 – April 5, 2004