Printmaking, and in particular the linocut, saw a dynamic resurgence in Britain during the 1920s. This medium became a popular and accessible form of artistic expression, embraced by a generation of artists seeking to capture the rapid technological, social, and cultural changes of the interwar period.

Characterised by bold lines, vivid colours, and striking compositions, these prints reflected the speed, movement, and energy of modern life — from bustling cityscapes and sporting events to the rhythm of industrial labour and transport.

One of the key catalysts for this revival was the founding of The Grosvenor School of Modern Art in 1925 by artist Iain Macnab. The school fostered a distinct style and ethos, promoting printmaking as a modern, democratic art form. Drawing on a significant group of prints gifted to the Dunedin Public Art Gallery collection in 1953 by Sir Rex Nan Kivell, Reviving the print explores the Grosvenor School’s innovative methodology and its enduring influence. The exhibition brings together works by prominent teachers and students, including Sybil Andrews, Lill Tschudi, Cyril Power, William Greengrass, Eileen Mayo, and Julia Mavrogordato, offering a compelling insight into a transformative moment in the history of British printmaking.