It's hard to believe it's been almost a week since we were setting up the booth to debut our collaboration at the second annual NY Denim Days at the Metropolitan Pavilion. Having been on the consumer side in 2017, I was in awe of all the incredible work that went into such an event-and now I am a part of it. Pinch me now! It was two non-stop days working with the most passionate people. Alice from Tonello,  Andrea from Officina 39+ and amazing Columbian artist  Juan from De Ver Azul. And who could forget Alberto and Lucrezia from Tonello. It was truly the dream team and we definitely made the "Magic Happen!"

So, let's back up here. Perhaps,  you're curious, just how did Clockworks Press end up in NY Denim days this year?! Let me give you a little insight into the backstory. rewind to NYDD, fall 2017 where  I met Juan Manuel and Andrea Venier in the booth of Officina 39+, a sustainable chemical company from Biella, Italy. What immediately caught my eye was that an artist was demonstrating how the products could be used. It wasn't just a booth with a brochure or a candy dish, it was interactive and Juan was making art! As soon as we began to chat, I was immediately drawn into the concept of Recycrom, a completely sustainable dyestuff that was derived from 100 percent textile production waste! Yes, you heard that correctly, a one to one yield of production waste to pigment. With a sustainable mission at the heart of Clockworks Press I was immediately asking tons of questions. I asked Juan if it was able to be used in printmaking and the answer was- Yes!  After the event I contacted Officina 39+ and received a sample of their product which I began to use with silkscreen printing taking my own printing practices in a more sustainable direction.

Fast forward to June of 2018...Officina 39+ approached me with an irresistible offer. "We want to feature work of a NYC based artist working with denim" explained Juan "in collaboration with myself, Officina 39+ and Tonello at NYDD 2018." I didn't even have to think for a second, I was thrilled to be a part of such an amazing team.  Juan and I began the process sharing ideas and drawings back and forth until I was able to fly to Biella in July. Prior to my arrival we both did several trials on denim. Juan with painting and laser and me with printmaking using the Recycrom pigment.

​Two days flew by and soon I was back printing at the Grafische Werkplaats studio in The Hague, Netherlands. It was now time to continue the process with another layer on top of the laser and painting work we completed together in Biella. Juan and I communicated and kept the collaborative nature going as we each added to the respective artworks in our possession. This was the first time I had experienced such an intimate collaboration and placed my total trust in another artist. We gave one another full reign to push the imagery and colors in ways we had never considered. Juan's supportive nature and trust allowed this to happen very organically. As the pieces were completed simultaneously, I began to see a body of work that I was extremely proud to be a part of, The atmosphere in the prints began to take on a softer feeling. I also worked on a much larger format which changed my perspective on the imagery. 

I returned to Brooklyn at the close of the summer to begin teaching art again,  prepare for the launch  of my first collection, The Denim Clutch and anxiously awaiting the NY denim days.  Juan and I met the day before we had to set up to stretch the artwork and complete last minute finishing touches to the garment collection based on the 5 artworks we created.

 I was again reminded of how incredible it was to collaborate with another artist who is so passionate about their work. The next morning I arrived at the Metropolitan Pavilion filled with excitement. Our theme of "Magic Happens" was emphasizing the use of denim, art, tech, color and of course my home city New York! We would spend two days sharing this passion and process with colleagues in the denim industry, visitors and each other. We held demonstrations of dying in a mini tonello washing machine and printing on the press. ​

All photos/video courtesy of Clockworks Press 2018

PRESS RELEASE
​
Sept. 22-23, NYDD: Something really magical is about to happen!

Art, Colors and Technology coming together to explore new possibilities and create something surprising, sustainable, and in an exclusive edition for the New York Denim Days 2018.

This year the NYDD hosts a really unique event featuring the art of Holly Brown (Clockworks Press) and Juan Manuel Gomez (deverazul), using Recycrom dyes (100% derived from recycling textile fibers and production waste) produced by Officina 39, and Tonello technologies like Laser and the All-In-One System that will give life to an unrepeatable and above all sustainable happening.
Together and in real we will print the creations of Holly and Juan Manuel on limited edition t-shirts that will be the result of a totally ecological process.

Inspiring and creating connections between art, colors, and technology to demonstrate that sustainability is not a utopia, or a limit, but a fantastic opportunity to do something great.
In short, technology meets creativity. Again.
Everything will happen at the Metropolitan Pavilion - 125 West 18th Street, NYC.
We‘ll be there, waiting for you!

When Clockworks Press first set out to begin manufacturing its first denim product it was absolutely essential that it happen locally and more importantly if possible in NYC's garment district. When I first contacted Alex Dabagh at Park Avenue International/Park Avenue Trimming on West 29th Street it was immediately evident that he had a true passion for everything he touched. Specializing in mostly leather products, I was unsure whether or not they would go for my small production of just 100 and not in leather, but in denim. Alex was happy to help and guide me through the process from sample to finish. This video shows Alex talking about his passion and the brand Pietro NYC that was started by his father, Pierre Dabagh in 1982.

This family driven business is filled with love and passion. When I picked up my samples, dropped off materials and finally when the first batch was completed I had a tingle go up my spine each and every time, I was living a dream, creating something I never phathomed possible. But Alex and his sister Alexa made it happen, If I had a moment of uncertainty the entire staff at Park Ave Trim knew how to handle it with ease. Each piece of denim I printed was carefully machine stitched one by one. I can't say enough amazing things about the team at Park, I am so truly grateful for their impeccable craftsmanship and love that is in each and every denim clutch they constructed for Clockworks Press. I am utterly grateful for this connection, which I hope will last a lifetime.

Clockworks Press™ combines contemporary design and sustainability to create unique, eco-friendly denim garments and accessories. Each piece is designed and printed one by one by artist Holly E Brown in Brooklyn, NY and manufactured in the heart of NYC’s Garment District.

Very pleased and honored to announce that my work is featured alongside a group of stellar international artists in Issue 4 (available now) of Pressing Matters magazine. From the UK this glorious independent publication is a run of 4000 and focuses on all the inky goodness of modern printmaking. My article, The Art of Looking Up walks you through my collagraph process from start to finish. I also speak about how I came to print on the most common of materials, denim. I hope you will take a moment to support Pressing Matters by ordering your copy today. 

It was wonderful to be back in my second studio home at the Grafische Werkplaats, Den Haag today! I spent yesterday completing the carving of my latest collagraph plate. This time I'm tackling some new bridges of the Netherlands! I had photographed this bridge last summer as it was finally unveiled after undergoing extensive preservation. No longer in use, De Hef bridge is a proud landmark in the gorgeous city of Rotterdam, Netherlands. Designed by Pieter Joosting in 1927 it is one of the few vertical lift bridges in the country. It replaced the older bridge that was destroyed by a German steamship. I found a great little silent film entitled, De Brug created by Joris Ivens that shows De Hef in it's glory, if you love old black and white I'm sure you will enjoy it. 

Clockworks Press is proud to be a part of the MADE IN NYC family. A key component of Clockwork's mission is to produce locally. We were able to establish full manufacturing in the heart of Manhattan's Garment District with Park Avenue Trimming/Park Avenue International  and EarwingsNYC. Every piece of denim is printed in Brooklyn one by one by founder and artist Holly E Brown. In addition all denim and materials were sourced in the USA with a large portion right here on the East Coast.  We are extremely excited to report that 75 pairs of jeans were recycled to make the edition of 100 denim clutches. "A portable print" each bag is a one of a kind original because each piece of denim has its very own wear patterns. Hand signed and numbered these bags won't be around for long!
​Hope to see you for the launch, info coming soon!

I am honored to be a part of the new [Print]maker Takeover blog on Atelier Indrukwekkend's site today. Take a moment to read all about my latest progress with denim printmaking and sustainability on their blog by clicking their logo. In addition, perhaps you will find an excellent workshop to join or event like the print swap to attend. Located in the heart of Delft, the Atelier is helping keep printmaking alive and well!

It was another wonderful experience teaching printmaking on 30 March 2018 at the Atelier Indrukwekkend in the heart of Delft, Netherlands. We had a great time carving and printing collagraphs on paper, fabric and of course recycled denim! Stay tuned for the next workshops coming soon! Special thanks to Speedball Art for the excellent supplies and The Living for the fabulous vegan lunch!