Brief Summary 2021

This year marks the 5th edition of AIMPE 2021.

Both Japanese and International artists are all invited to enter prints to AIMPE '21. Prizewinning works will be awarded as a result of skilled multi-level jurying.

The purpose of this exhibition is to introduce 'washi' ; Japan's traditional handmade paper (and cultural treasure) to international printmakers. In so doing, we are pleased to provide an opportunity for artists to exhibit their prints and to promote expressionistic fine art printmaking.

Award-winning works will be displayed within Awagami's Hall of Awa Japanese Handmade Paper Museum. All other prints will be displayed in Awagami's spacious "Inbe Art Space". Award-winning prints previous four AIMPE will be displayed at satellite venues in Japan.

All artists are invited to submit works to the AIMPE exhibition and we look forward to receiving a great number of wonderful miniprints. During the AIMPE exhibition, printmaking specialists and selected artists will conduct workshops and print-related symposiums at the exhibition sites.

1) Artists are invited to submit their miniprints created on Japanese washi paper --- washi has recently been designated as a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage craft.

There are several varieties of washi paper made in Japan and artists are encouraged to use any type of washi paper (it does not only have to be only Awagami washi).

2) Digital (Inkjet/Giclee) prints on washi are also accepted.

3) Prize money totaling over one million yen (approx. US $10,000) + many valuable washi prizes will be awarded.

Grand Prize (1) 300,000 yen
Runner-up Prize (1) 100,000 yen
Excellence Prizes (5) 50,000 yen
Awagami Factory Prizes (3) 30,000 yen (Digital inkjet prints)
Yoshinogawa City Mayoral Prize (1) 30,000 yen
Minoru Fujimori Prize (1) 30,000 yen
Jury Prizes (several) 10,000 yen
Cranfield ink Prize $300 worth of Cranfield Printmaking Inks
Pressing Matters Prize 1 year (4 issues) subscription to Pressing Matters Printmaking magazine (+ artist feature in future issue)

4) All miniprints entered will be exhibited.

Prizewinning works will be awarded as a result of skilled multi-level jurying. These prints shall be notably exhibited in Awagami's Hall of Awa Japanese Handmade Paper Museum. All other miniprints will be exhibited in Awagami's neighboring post-industrial gallery –“Inbe Art Space”. Winning works from the previous four AIMPE exhibitions will be displayed at satellite venues around the city.

5) The first 500 artists registered by May 31 will receive a free sample pack of Awagami washi papers suitable for printmaking.

This offer is on a first-come-first-served basis, so if no package arrives within 8-10weeks of paying participation fee, kindly understand that the limit has likely been reached (there will be no e-mail notification of shipment).
The sample pack contains several A4-sized sheets of “Awagami” washi papers. The included sheets represent a wide range of Awagami printmaking washi with various surface textures, tones and weights.