Hatch Show Print Inspired Monoprint Art By Designer-printer Devin Goebel
Designer-Printer Devin Goebel burns the candle at both ends, working in the shop by day and on his own art into the wee hours of the night. In addition to The Haley Gallery’s annual Moonlightin’ show, Devin has shown work in Julia Martin Gallery, another Nashville gallery.
This March, Devin’s monoprint works, made in the shop using our collection of historic and iconic show poster blocks and old wood type, will be on display in Hatch Show Print’s Haley Gallery. Join us for the opening, Saturday, March 3, from 6:00 to 9:00 PM.
If you haven’t met him yet, consider these seven questions your introduction to Devin and his practice.
Q: What media and/or processes do you use in your work?
DG: This is my first time in a while working strictly in print. My work for the past couple of years has been a combination of painting, sculpture, and drawing. I make a lot of shaped panels out of MDF [medium-density fiberboard] and use mostly acrylic paint. I like to incorporate objects into my pieces— lawn chairs, garden hoses, and melted popsicles, to name a few.
Q: What fueled the initial spark for your interest in creating and/or making? Was it seeing a particular piece of art, the work of a specific artist or style/movement, or something else?
DG: I’ve always enjoyed creating things. I was big into craft time growing up. I started taking art seriously in high school, and decided to pursue it as a career. (Thanks mom and dad for trusting and supporting that decision.) My style and direction were drastically changed after a Modern Art History class I took in college. Learning more in-depth about the artists of that era, specifically Robert Rauschenberg, Jasper Johns, and Andy Warhol, was the starting point of the work I’ve been making for the past 4 years.
Q: Where did you study, and why did you choose to do a Hatch Show Print Internship?
DG: I studied Fine Art with an emphasis in printmaking. I first learned of Hatch Show Print in 2013 when I visited Nashville for the first time. I visited the shop and was in awe. I really had no clue what Hatch was or of its historical importance. Letterpress was not taught at my school. I wanted to intern at Hatch so I could learn about letterpress printing. I initially applied for the internship in 2013, but I didn’t get it. My portfolio was garbage. I applied again the following year and ended up getting the internship.
Q: What aspect of the Hatch Show Print historic collection has informed or inspired this body of work?
DG: I was inspired by the carved blocks used for advertisements back in 1930s, ‘40s, and ‘50s. The imagery still holds up today even though they no longer serve their intended purpose. With this body of work I wanted to push that abstraction of purpose further. I get to use some on my favorite blocks in the Hatch collection. I focused on the lines and shapes present in the blocks. By masking off sections and only printing certain parts, I’m able to abstract the images and highlight my favorite elements of the carvings. I’m also adding some new carvings to the prints.
Q: Cats or dogs?
DG: I like both. In the future I will own a Dalmatian.
Q: Favorite fuel while you work?
I usually just drink coffee and water when I work. I’m not a huge snacker. The beer that awaits me after I leave the studio/shop is also a good motivator for me while I’m working.
Q: Any art-making soundtrack recommendation(s)?
DG: My art-making tunes are all across the board. I usually start off with some albums I’m into at the time. Currently those albums are Everybody Works by Jay Som, Antisocialites by Alvvays, Capacity by Big Thief, and all of Father John Misty’s albums. Then, after I’ve been working for a while, I usually put on Kanye, Chance the Rapper, or Kendrick Lamar to bring some energy back into the process. Also My My My! by Troye Sivan. I’ve been unashamedly listening to that on repeat a lot of the nights while making this body of work.
