Printmaker’s maiden exhibition- Fran Henke is excited to be showing her work at the Libran Dogma Gallery next month. 58704

By Nicole Williams
FRANCES Henke is looking forward to her first solo exhibition as a printmaker next month.
The former Berwick resident will show her work at the Libran Dogma Gallery in Narre Warren North and is pleased her first exhibition is in the area where she grew up.
Now living in Hastings, Mrs Henke has chosen ‘Carving Clouds’ as the theme for the exhibition, flipping the idea of scary road signs.
“I turned around the idea of scary road signs in alpine areas that say ‘Beware of Falling Rocks’ with a series of linocuts called ‘Beware of Falling Clouds’,” she said.
The 67-year-old worked as a journalist for more than four decades and recently completed a degree in printmaking from Chisholm Frankston, graduating last year.
She was diagnosed with polio in 1946 and the late effects of the disease made the work at Chisholm a challenge.
“But I found printmaking absorbing,” Mrs Henke said.
“That moment of easing the print away from the plate on the press offers a mix of thrill and trepidation.”
Mrs Henke also makes postcards as part of her printmaking, which will be on sale at the exhibition.
The proceeds from the exhibition, and the sale of the postcards, will be donated to help children with polio in India.
“I am grateful for this help that allows me in turn to donate proceeds for children with polio in India,” she said.
Carving Clouds is at Libran Dogma Gallery, A’Beckett Road, Narre Warren North, from 5 February to 27 February.