Inspired by the exhibition International Surrealism from Tate: Fifty Years of Dreams and the history of surrealist publishing, this ARTlab invites participants to create their own surrealist Risograph print. Using imagery drawn from the exhibition and inspired by the magazine ephemera on view, participants will experiment with surreal composition and layered printmaking techniques.
Surrealism first emerged in literary journals and small magazines, where artists and writers used print as a space to explore dreams, automatic writing, and unexpected visual combinations long before official manifestos were published.
Working with printmaker Graeme Morris, participants will develop collage-based compositions and explore the fundamentals of Risograph printing, including layering, texture, and color, before producing a final edition of ten prints to take home.
This ARTlab takes place at Risology Club (507 Hagan St, Nashville, TN 37203). Street parking is available on and near Hagan Street.
What is a Risograph?
Risograph printing is a stencil-based printing process that combines the efficiency of a copier with the look of screen printing. Each color is printed separately using soy-based inks, creating vibrant layers, visible texture, and natural variation from print to print. The result is an expressive, tactile aesthetic that’s especially popular for zines, posters, and small-run publications.
About Graeme Morris
Graeme Morris is a multidisciplinary designer and printmaker based in Nashville who works across graphic design, print production, installations, and branded merchandise. His practice bridges concept and execution—pairing visual design with hands-on making to bring ideas into the physical world. He was introduced to Risograph printing in 2015 and fell for the process after running stacks of vintage magazine pages through the machine, discovering the unintentionally beautiful overlays it produced. That spark of accidental magic became the foundation for his Risology Club workshops, which invite participants to tear up magazines, layer colors, and see what the machine spits out—fast, loose, and free of any design-school pressure. Designers, artists, and total beginners are all welcome.
Related exhibition
