The Wonderstruck Printmaker

My printmaking intentionally focuses on ordinary moments of beauty as an act of resistance to inattentiveness and dehumanization. This is especially important today, a time dominated by rising fascism, isolating capitalism, and fear for the planet’s future. My work is grounded in the idea that what we pay attention to (and what we ignore) can have a fundamental impact on what we think is possible. Today’s current dominant narratives are intended to create despair, divisiveness, and a lack of hope. I draw on my experience as the child of Spain’s transition to democracy to argue that without hope, without beauty, there is no social change. And so, my prints highlight daily moments of awe and beauty that go often unnoticed. Here the choice of relief printmaking as my medium is not accidental. This hands-on, slow, process-laden craft acts as a way to reclaim human attention against today’s social and digital push for distraction and detachment. A reminder to me and to others to be present, to notice, and to document what’s worth valuing and protecting around us. While I carry this vision through my printmaking work, teaching and engaging the community is a fundamental part of my artistic practice. Through workshops and participation in social events, I weave the craft of printmaking with driving attention to the present and the impact that this can have as fuel for hope and engagement.

Artist Statement

irenka@thewonderstruckprintmaker.com