Bill Young working with Michael Leunig

Written by TRISH GALLAGHER. - source: Wangaratta Chronicle

Cartoonist Michael Leunig is just one of many renowned artists who make their way to Bill Young’s King Valley studio to print their works.

Bill, a master printmaker, has worked with Leunig off and on during the past 15 years, and is about to embark on a new collaboration - once Leunig finds the time.

"We had an intensive four-year period a while ago when he made an engraving tool by attaching a nail to a piece of dowel and scratching out marks on cement sheet," Bill said.

"That way, he was master of the medium and didn’t have to rely on me to do all the work with acid that etching requires."

Leunig is one of 27 artists in a current Albury Art Gallery exhibition called ‘Bill Young: Printer’s Proof’.

The concept came from the gallery, but when staff went to select work in Bill’s studio, he pulled so many prints out of drawers, they were blown away by the volume and left it up to him to chose which work to hang.

"I guess it’s a selection of my favorites because I’ve worked with a lot more than 27 artists," said Bill.

He has printed all 75 limited editions in the exhibition, big and small, during the past 33 years.

One of his heroes was Louis Kahan, who came to him at 72.

Bill continued to etch all his plates until the artist died at 92.

"I’m very much involved with plate making with the artists and have worked in collaboration with many of them," Bill said.

Other artists in the show include Barbie Kjar, John Neeson, Graeme Peebles, Alick Tipoti, Geoff Ricardo, Treahna Hamm, and older work by Bill’s wife, Anita Laurence.

The exhibition remains at the gallery, 546 Dean Street, Albury, until May 17, weekdays 10am-5pm, Saturday 10am-4pm, and Sunday noon-4pm.