Printmaking workshops in north-west Thailand.

In January 2013 Jacqueline Gribbin travelled to Bangkok, Thailand to meet up with Thai based British artist Ralph Kiggell. From there they travelled to northwest Thailand close to the Thai-Myanmar border to carry out printmaking workshops with ethnic minority and migrant children.

They delivered the workshops with the support of Bianca Basch of the Blood Foundation, an NGO working out of Fang, northwest Thailand, which ran three schools in the area for young children who are not entitled to education in Thailand, having come over the border from Myanmar. They belonged to three ethnic minorities: Lahu, Palaung and Shan.

The opportunity to make some art through these art-printmaking workshops was a rare treat for the children, which they embraced with energy and enthusiasm that was delightful to see. Using linocut and water-based woodblock workshops the children carved and printed their own blocks and over 60 images were created by the end.

With the very generous support of H Gallery, Chiang Mai, the children were able to exhibit their work at the gallery and transport was provided to enable the children to also travel to the opening of the show. Any works sold generated future funds for their further education.