Florin Hategan–First prize

Florin Hategan Home I linocut 2001

" To draw for me is not necessarily a hobby," says Florin Hategan in an artist's statement, "It is more than that: it is a way of life. It is a way to tell the truth about the inside and outside worlds, and eventually to give an expression to my entire 'population' of thoughts." Florin Hategan was born in Timisoara, Romania, in 1962. He has university degrees in civil engineering and fine art. In 2001, he was the Silver Medal winner at the International Biennial Print and Drawing Exhibition, Taiwan. He currently lives in Canada and is active in the Romanian-Canadian arts community.

Michiko Suzuki–Second prize

Michiko Suzuki A Feeler - 20 toner etching, drypoint, ink jet, chine collé 2002

“ I want you to keep a balance as a human being,” says Michiko Suzuki who was born in Tokyo in 1954. She graduated from the Masashino Art Junior College in 1974. In 2002, she won 2nd prize at the 5th Kochi International Triennial of Prints, Kochi, Japan. A judge at the competition, Masanori Kagioka, commented on the print A feeler, “At first sight, the work looks simple. But it is very elaborate if you take closer look at it. I feel a soft and peaceful mood of the present age and a slight madness hiding in it. I think this work sensuously captures modern times.” Michiko says, “I hope that when people come into contact with my work, they will also come face to face with their own desires and truths in that moment.”

Catherine Bolle–Third prize

Catherine Bolle Diary engraving drypoint 2001

Catherine Bolle says, "I have set new challenges for myself since beginning to sculpt in 1993. My ambition is to take the engraved form beyond its traditional support and boundaries and to extend its limits into new dimensions in space, to enrich the mysteries of volumes." Catherine was born in Lausanne, Switzerland, where she currently lives and works. She gained her art education through her encounters with artists, collectors, historians, art galleries and printers. She attended an engraving workshop by Raymond Meyer in 1981, which gave her insight into techniques of intaglio. She subsequently developed engraving techniques using tempera and inked acrylic glass plates. In recognition of her work, she has received prizes from Ljublijana (1989), Lodz (1991) and Cadaques (2000).

Changes have occurred in regards to the Triennial Print Competition. Due to events beyond our control, this event will be postponed indefinitely. SNAP remains very committed to continuing to run this outstanding international event in the future and we look forward to coordinating a world-class competition in the coming years.

The catalogue, of the first TrueNorth SNAP International Print Biennial, Choice and Chance, is available from SNAP for $22 Canadian or for $10 with a SNAP membership. You may order your catalogue simply by contacting SNAP. The catalogue is "a celebration of the rich variety of print-art today." All 25 finalists are represented visually and each image is accompanied by biographical and contact information for the artist.

The Society of Northern Alberta Print-artists thank the following contributors to the TrueNorth SNAP International Print Biennial:

Competition judges
• René Derouin
• Alexandra Haeseker
• Liz Ingram
• Bill Laing
• Marc Seigner
• Wolfgang Troschke

TrueNorth Energy
• David Park, President and CEO
• D'Arcy Levesque, Vice-president of Government & Public Affairs

Plumbheavy Design
• Tara Langlois
• Bernie Roessler

Great Bear Art & Framing • Quality Colour Press • Screaming Colour • Weber Shandwick • Vue Weekly • Gourmet Goodies

Catalogue photographer
• Steve Dixon

SNAP is grateful for the support of the Canada Council for the Arts, The Alberta Foundation for the Arts, the City of Edmonton, the Edmonton Arts Council, and SNAP's members and volunteers.

And thanks to all the artists who participated in the competition — congratulations to those selected by the juries.